Welcome Bulldogs: Gisborne’s move to Ballarat league official

The Ballarat Football Netball League will move to an 11-team competition from 2027, after Gisborne’s application to switch from the Bendigo league was officially ticked off by AFL Victoria.

Approval for the move signed was signed off on Friday 17 July, just a few days after the Bendigo league board gave the Bulldogs a green light to transfer leagues.

The Gisborne Football Netball Club had sought to enter the Ballarat league in time for the 2026 season, but its bid last year was denied by the Bendigo league, with the decision upheld by AFL Victoria.

AFL Victoria’s decision marks the end of a lengthy process and allows both leagues and Gisborne to move forward with certainty following extensive discussions over the past 18 months.

The addition of Gisborne Football Netball Club marks an exciting milestone for the BFNL and reflects the continued strength and growth of community football and netball across the region.

BFNL general manager Gemma Murphy said the league was pleased to have the process formally completed.

“We welcome Gisborne Football Netball Club to the Ballarat Football Netball League and look forward to them joining our competition in 2027,” Murphy said.

“Throughout this process, our focus has been on following the appropriate governance framework and ensuring all requirements under the AFL Victoria community affiliate regulations were met.

“We appreciate the cooperation of AFL Victoria and the Bendigo Football Netball League in facilitating the process.”

In an official statement, the Ballarat league acknowledged the support of its member clubs, which voted in favour of Gisborne joining the league at a special general meeting earlier this month.

“The BFNL looks forward to working closely with Gisborne Football Netball Club over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition into the league and to continuing to provide a strong, sustainable and competitive football and netball competition for all member clubs.”

Gisborne’s entry will generate instant rivalries with neighbouring eastern bloc clubs Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh, Darley and Melton and unquestionably strengthen the depth of football and netball in the Ballarat league.

The Bulldogs’ senior football and A-grade netball teams are both currently sitting in the top three of their respective competitions.

The A-grade netballers were back-to-back premiers as recently as 2023-24, while the senior footballers won their last flag in 2022 and were grand finalists in 2024.

All five of the club’s netball teams are sitting in the top five.

Gisborne’s entry will see the Ballarat league revert back to an 11-team competition for the first time since 2024, before Melton South’s departure.

Bendigo league board chair Brett Fitzpatrick wished Gisborne every success going forward and thanked the Bulldogs for their ‘immense contribution’ to the league since 2000.

“While we are naturally disappointed to see a club of Gisborne’s calibre leave our competition, we respect their decision and acknowledge the enormous contribution they have made to the Bendigo Football Netball League over the past 20+ seasons.

“Gisborne has been an outstanding member club whose commitment to excellence, community values and competitive success has left a lasting legacy on our league.

“Their achievements across all grades, but particularly A-grade netball and senior football have helped define many of the great moments in modern BFNL history.

“On behalf of the BFNL board, member clubs and the wider football and netball community, we sincerely thank everyone at Gisborne Football Netball Club for their contribution and wish the club, its players, members, volunteers and supporters every success as they commence this new chapter.”