Football Victoria takes rein of Ballarat district soccer

AFTER more than seven decades of overseeing the prosperity of soccer on the region, the Ballarat and District Soccer Association (BDSA) will transition the management of the league and game to Football Victoria (FV) from next month.

The transition, part of a statewide overhaul of soccer management, marks a new chapter for the sport in Victoria.

Under the new arrangement, FV will administer all community soccer activities in Ballarat and six more regions from January 2026. They include Bendigo, Gippsland, Latrobe Valley, Shepparton, South West and Sunraysia.

The seven join FV Geelong, which will continue its ongoing association with FV that has been in place since 2010.

Albury-Wodonga Football Association will remain aligned with New South Wales.

The changeover marks an exciting new era for soccer, one built on the incredible legacy of BDSA volunteers who have shaped soccer in Ballarat since 1952.

For over seven decades, BDSA volunteers have been the backbone of grassroots soccer in the region, making significant contributions including advocating for and contributing funds to the development of the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facilities at Morshead Park, championing the growth of dedicated facilities for local clubs, and managing player development pathways through representative programs.

The new structure was previously approved by BDSA clubs at a vote in 2024, with the full transition to FV management agreed to start in 2026.

In a statement released by the BDSA, the association said the transition had been progressing in phases.

“In 2025, FV assumed responsibility for the Country Championships – previously coordinated by volunteers – which sees representative teams from community clubs across Victorian districts compete for state honours,” the statement read.

“BDSA had historically managed the selection of coordinators, coaches, team managers, players, and equipment for these representative programs.

“This change aligns Ballarat with other Victorian districts, including Geelong where FV has successfully managed community soccer for several years.

“Each district across Victoria is at different stages of implementing similar transition plans.

“Under the new arrangement, FV will employ staff to administer the competition in the Ballarat region, supported by an advisory committee providing local insight and guidance.

“The BDSA will wind up operations over the next six months as FV assumes full administrative responsibility from January 2026.”

The BDSA committee is confident it is bowing out with the game in great shape.

“Soccer in Ballarat and District is thriving, with registered player numbers growing year on year,” it said.

“The 2025 season recorded the highest participation levels in the region’s history.

“The current BDSA board would like to thank all current and past members of the BDSA community for their contribution to soccer and wish clubs success under the new structure.”

The BDSA runs senior men’s and women’s and junior boys and girls competition and includes over a dozen clubs across the region, including Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Ballarat City, Ballarat North, Buninyong, Corangamite Lions, Creswick Cougars, Daylesford and Hepburn United, Forest Rangers, Maryborough, Vic Park Vultures and Vikings.