Youngest BFNL team quickly making its mark

BFNL 15-and-under coach Steph Freemantle has praised her interleague team’s unshakable effort and persistence after a spirited performance in a nail-biting loss against Ovens and Murray.

Despite falling one-goal short against an equally resilient O&M, Freemantle said she was proud of her young group’s ability to compete for large stretches of the match.

They led narrowly at three-quarter time, but were unable to hold on as the visitors prevailed in the first of two one-goal thrillers on the QEO courts on Saturday.

“I’m very happy with the performance, particularly having to have fought back a few times from a few goals down,” she said.

“It got out to six or so goals down a couple of times, but the girls never gave up.

“We did go into the last quarter leading, but a few things fell their (O&Ms) way, but I’m just so proud of how they went.

“The girls feel privileged to be playing in an interleague team and representing their league, but there’s also the fun and excitement of getting to play with the girls they normally compete against.

“They’ve all taken that on board and enjoyed the experience.”

Evie Gretgrix (Sandhurst) and Mia Smith (South Bendigo) were standouts in defence, while Sienna Raco (Sandhurst) controlled the midcourt.

Having to back up the following day in the North East Zone Association Championships qualifiers, the O&M was a few weeks further advanced in its 2026 campaign.

While the BFNL was successful in its first tournament outing the weekend before last Saturday’s interleague clash, Freemantle said it was difficult to gauge the strength of the performance due to the wet and wintry conditions.

“It rained the entire day, so we couldn’t really see what they could do; it was slippery and horrible,” she said.

“So this was the first proper hit-out they’ve had together.

“The signs were good.”

Bendigo will get its chance to qualify for next month’s Association Championships at the Northern Zone qualifiers in Echuca on 14 June.

The game against the O&M was Bendigo’s first interleague clash at that age-level, following the introduction of a 15-and-under competition this season.

Well received by clubs, Freemantle gave the competition a ringing endorsement.

“It’s been fantastic. It’s been spoken about for a few years, that a lot of other leagues have 15-and-unders,” she said.

“We’ve sort of had it in an unofficial sense with a lot of clubs having teams playing up at the CVNA.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase top girls at a younger age.

“At (Strathfieldsaye) Storm, we always talk about taking care and looking after our juniors and creating a pathway for them to higher grade netball.

“This is a great way for the girls to be a part of that pathway.”