![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2026\/05\/45ba7034-b0ce-43c4-b_94021.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“It rained the entire day, so we couldn’t really see what they could do; it was slippery and horrible,” she said.<\/p>\n
“So this was the first proper hit-out they’ve had together.<\/p>\n
“The signs were good.”<\/p>\n
Bendigo will get its chance to qualify for next month’s Association Championships at the Northern Zone qualifiers in Echuca on 14 June.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Well received by clubs, Freemantle gave the competition a ringing endorsement.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“We’ve sort of had it in an unofficial sense with a lot of clubs having teams playing up at the CVNA.<\/p>\n
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase top girls at a younger age.<\/p>\n
“At (Strathfieldsaye) Storm, we always talk about taking care and looking after our juniors and creating a pathway for them to higher grade netball.<\/p>\n
“This is a great way for the girls to be a part of that pathway.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n