BFNL unveils 2026 interleague coaches

THE Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL) has locked in its interleague football coaches for 2026, with a mix of returning faces and newcomers taking on the coveted roles.

A heavy commitment to interleague football will see the BFNL fielding teams at under-17, under-14, under-15 and under-13 boys level and in senior women’s and under-18 and under-15 girls, giving players the opportunity to represent the league and showcase their talent in a high-performance environment.

Player nominations via their home clubs will open shortly, with invited athletes to attend squad training.

Training is scheduled to start across March and April for those selected in initial squads.

This year’s coaching lineup – drawn from an array of BFNL clubs – comprises Danyel Waters (women), Tim Meaney (under-18 girls), Cam Bennett and Alex Oldaker (under-15 girls), Scott Petrie (under-17 boys), Aaron Harnden (under-15 boys), Justin Watkins (under-14 boys) and Adam Ridley (under-13 boys).

Senior women’s coach Waters is the newly appointed senior women’s coach at reigning premier Darley in 2026 and an assistant coach with the Calder Cannons under-16 girls.

She previously coached in the Coates Talent League girls program, led the Essendon Pathways Academy, and coached multiple EDFL interleague teams.

She brings elite pathway experience and a proven record in developing talented female footballers.

 

Under-18 girls coach Meaney is the senior women’s coach and female football director of coaching at Redan.

He has extensive experience across junior and senior programs over two decades, including interleague support roles and a strong history in player development, mentoring and female football pathways.

Under-15 girls co-coach Bennett coached the East Point Dragons under-14 program across 2024-2025 and led the 2025 under-14 girls interleague side.

He also served as an assistant with the GWV Rebels Under-15 V/Line Cup program and in 2026 will step into the East Point under-16 girls head coach role while continuing to assist the Rebels.

Co-coach Oldaker was assistant coach of the 2025 under-16 girls interleague team and previously coached the Ballarat Swans under-12 girls in 2024.

She has also coached school football at Ballarat High School and is building further pathway experience through involvement with the Rebels under-16 program.

Petrie’s return as under-17 boys coach continues his strong involvement in the BFNL representative pathway.

He previously served as an assistant coach with the AFL Goldfields Academy from 2019-2021 and has coached progressively through the BFNL interleague age groups since starting at under-13 level in 2021.

Into his third straight season as leader of the under-17 program, Petrie is recognised for his focus on player development, game education and building a strong team-first culture.

 

Under-15 boys coach Aaron Harnden will lead Bacchus Marsh’s under-14 senior team this season after leading the under-14 reserves in 2025 and serving as assistant coach of the 2025 BFNL under-15 interleague team.

Harnden is a player-centred coach focused on adaptability, role education and high-performance standards, with strong experience in both development and representative football environments.

Under-14 boys coach Watkins has led Darley Junior Football Club since 2016, working across all age groups from under-10 to under-16.

In 2025 he was head coach of the BFL under-13 boys interleague team.

He offers broad junior development experience and a strong understanding of the local talent pool.

Under-13 boys leader Ridley has coached junior football in Ballarat for six years, leading premiership teams in 2024 and 2025 (under-13 and under-14).

He also has three years’ experience as a senior assistant coach and will continue in that role in 2026.

Ridley is known for building strong team environments and consistent on-field success.

Training is scheduled to start across March and April for those selected in initial squads.

Successful players will represent the BFNL on the following dates.

Saturday 23 May: Under-17 boys and under-18 girls

Saturday 4 July: Under-13, under-14 and under-15 boys, under 15 girls, under-18 girls and women.