WHILE it is full steam ahead for the BFNL\u2019s 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\u2019s Netball Victoria Association Championships.<\/p>\n
The BFNL confirmed it decision to not field an open netball team at the championships on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
The decision comes in response to a newly enforced rule restricting the involvement of players aligned with Victorian Netball League clubs.<\/p>\n
Given the enormous number of BFNL players connected with VNL programs, the rule has significantly impacted the league\u2019s ability to form a competitive open team.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe BFNL extends sincere thanks to head coach Tarryn Rymer and assistant coach Steph Freemantle for their time, leadership and commitment during the preparation phase,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe BFNL prides itself on having high-calibre netballers, and we love seeing them compete on the big stage of VNL.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wish our players competing at VNL level, the best of luck for the remainder of the 2025 season.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WHILE it is full steam ahead for the BFNL\u2019s 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\u2019s Netball Victoria Association Championships. The BFNL confirmed it decision to not field an open netball team at the championships on Tuesday night. […]<\/p>\n