Footy and netball matches rescheduled

THE Bendigo Football Netball League is cautiously aiming for every side in the ten-club competition to play each other at least once this season, in case further interruptions force the fixture into more delays over the coming months.

Despite postponing rounds seven and eight due to yet another regional Victorian lockdown, the League is also hoping to keep as much of the back end of the season in place as possible, so clubs can plan upcoming fundraisers and other events with some degree of certainty.

If all goes to plan, the grand final will be pushed back by one week to the current preferred date of Friday, 24 September, which is also AFL grand final eve.

“We acknowledge the different restrictions that are currently applicable to junior and senior grades of competition, but in the short-term will endeavour to ensure all grades of BFNL football and netball competition stay aligned to reduce burden on club volunteers,” the League said in a statement.

“The BFNL would like to reiterate the current situation is fluid and is subject to change, dependent on future health advice.”

Proposed amendments over the next few weeks include round nine proceeding as previously scheduled on June 12 for all grades of BFNL competition if restrictions on senior sport lift by the Queen’s Birthday long-weekend.

That would be followed by round seven being moved to 19 June and eight being moved to 26 June in place of rounds 10 and 11 with the aim of ensuring each team plays every other team at least once in 2021.

Pending any other hold ups, round 11 will be postponed and be moved to the weekend directly following round 18, with rounds 12 to 18 unchanged at this stage.