Gisborne league switch clears crucial first hurdle

Gisborne's bid to switch to the Ballarat league in 2026 has received overwhelming support from the leaguy's clubs. Photos: STEVE DILKS/SAA IMAGING
GISBORNE’S proposed move to the Ballarat Football Netball League is a step closer after clubs voted emphatically to endorse the bid at a special league meeting on Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs, who are seeking to become the Ballarat league’s 11th senior club, were given a ringing endorsement by their potential new rivals, with the vote 46 to four in favour of their admission.
The green light from the Ballarat league has paved the way for a vote of Gisborne members to take place next Thursday, August 21, at Gardiner Reserve.
If successful, Gisborne would need the approval of the Bendigo Football Netball League to transfer leagues.
But with the Bendigo league’s board having made known its desire to keep Gisborne, the issue looks destined to be resolved at AFL Victoria level.
Gisborne Football Netball Club president Tony Brancatisano hailed the Ballarat league vote result as ‘overwhelming’ and was thankful for the support of its clubs.
“We still have a long way to go – that was only the first hurdle, but we’ve got past it,” he said.
“It was quite a good result, so we move on to our members and players vote next Thursday.
“We’ll see where that ends up and from there we’ll see if the Bendigo league blocks it.
“At the end of the day, if AFL Vic is independent and looks at our submission, they will let us go. It’s as simple as that.
“We’re not worried about that yet, we just want to get past next week (the club vote) and we’ll see where it goes from there.
“But it’s pleasing that Ballarat has put in their paper work with AFL Vic to accept us.
“Had it just got over the line, (AFL Vic) might have thought it’s not a good idea, but to get a vote like that, that’s pretty convincing.”
Senior football premiers as recently as 2022 and back-to-back A-grade netball flag winners in 2023 and ’24, Gisborne has been perennially strong in both codes since the club’s admission into the Bendigo league in 2000.
The Bulldogs will have their senior and under-18s footballers and five grades of netballers involved in finals in three weeks’ time, with the A-grade netballers – currently in third spot on the ladder – chasing a premiership three-peat.

Their senior footballers are sitting second on the ladder and hold two wins already this season over top-placed Sandhurst.
With some existing and potential rivalries on its doorstep, including the Bulldogs’ old Riddell league sparring partner Sunbury, Brancatisano insisted the club’s move to Ballarat would only enhance the league.
“It’s going to increase revenue with clubs around here, playing Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh, Darley and Melton,” he said.
“Because Kyneton and Maryborough are now gone from the (Bendigo) league, we are too far from Bendigo.
“They need to concentrate north; it’s as simple as that.”
Ballarat Football Netball League board chair Rob Simmonds expressed his delight with Wednesday night’s outcome.
“You are never 100 per cent sure on how these things will go, clubs have always got to put their hat on and feel comfortable with it,” he said.
“But it’s really pleasing clubs were able to see the benefits of having Gisborne in.
“I’m pleased the clubs were able to absorb it and think of the long-term sustainability and growth of our league and agreed it was the right thing to do.
“It’s a relief and we are looking forward and keeping our fingers crossed that the next few parts of the process go our way.”
Simmonds saw Gisborne’s inclusive culture as a strong fit for the Ballarat league.
“When we spoke to Gisborne, it wasn’t them just saying, ‘hey, what is your league like?’ We had to feel them out too,” he said.
“We had to make sure they had the right cultures and ethos for us to want to have them in our league.
“We love the equality they have, with their netballers and footballers treated the same.
“They look like a really great club.”
Next Thursday’s club vote will involve just under 300 members, the bulk of them players.
In a statement published on its website in late June, the Bendigo league said it would continue to engage with ‘relevant stakeholders’ on Gisborne’s request to transfer leagues, but made known its desire to retain the Bulldogs.
“The BFNL board recognise that Gisborne’s club vision and community connections are evolving but given the club’s 20+ year relationship with the BFNL, we anticipate that Gisborne FNC will remain in the BFNL for 2026,” league chair Carol McKinstry said.
“Should Gisborne FNC submit their intent to transfer, the BFNL board will evaluate the transfer request thoroughly, with consideration for our league and our broader football netball ecosystem.”