BFNL withdraws open team from Association Championships

If NOT used online before June 20 the last two paragraphs will have to be either amended or deleted with Northern Zone qualifiers being played Sunday, June 15.

WHILE it is full steam ahead for the BFNL’s respective senior and under-19 football and 17-and-under netball representative teams, the league will not be a non-starter in the open division at next month’s Netball Victoria Association Championships.

The BFNL confirmed it decision to not field an open netball team at the championships on Tuesday night.

The decision comes in response to a newly enforced rule restricting the involvement of players aligned with Victorian Netball League clubs.

Given the enormous number of BFNL players connected with VNL programs, the rule has significantly impacted the league’s ability to form a competitive open team.

There are currently more than 20 BFNL-affiliated players represented on either VNL championship or 23-and-under lists, the bulk of them at Bendigo Strikers, but also at Boroondara Express, Melbourne University Lightning and Western Warriors.

BFNL manager Tom King said despite holding the Association Championships in high regard as a netball tournament, having the quantity and quality of players ineligible for selection has unfortunately resulted in the difficult decision to withdraw from the tournament.

“The BFNL extends sincere thanks to head coach Tarryn Rymer and assistant coach Steph Freemantle for their time, leadership and commitment during the preparation phase,” he said.

“Both coaches played a significant role in engaging potential players in the early stages and despite this decision, their dedication to the program has not gone unrecognised.

“The BFNL prides itself on having high-calibre netballers, and we love seeing them compete on the big stage of VNL.

“We wish our players competing at VNL level, the best of luck for the remainder of the 2025 season.”

The BFNL will be pinning its hopes of success at the Association Championships on its 17-and-under team, coached by Sharni McPherson and Alison Leech.

The team remains undefeated following tournaments in Echuca and Bendigo and will this weekend contest the Northern Zone qualifiers in Bendigo in a bid to qualify for the June 29 finals in Melbourne.