Bendigo FNL – Round 7 fixture update

The Bendigo FNL, in consultation with the Castlemaine FNC, Kyneton FNC, and with the support of their direct opponents, wish to provide an update with regards to proposed details of the round 7 fixture considering the direct impacts on the playing groups following the recent tragic passing of CFNC Under 18 player, Dallas Keogh-Frankling.

The BFNL can provide an update on the current intended arrangements for round 7 matches scheduled for Saturday 3rd June 2023, with all identified round 7 game details remaining subject to change:

Round 7: Castlemaine v Golden Square @ Camp Reserve:

• Senior football and A-Grade netball matches to be played as scheduled. The current intention is for the Reserves football match, and the remaining open age netball matches to proceed as scheduled. The Castlemaine FNC is monitoring and assessing the capacity of the Under 18 football and 17 & Under netball playing groups to return to competition this weekend and will make an appropriate decision in due course.

Round 7: Eaglehawk v Kyneton @ Canterbury Park (Indigenous Round feature match)

• Senior football and A-Grade netball matches to be played as scheduled. The current intention is for all remaining matches to proceed as scheduled, however the Kyneton FNC is monitoring and assessing the capacity of the Under 18 football and 17 & Under netball playing groups to return to competition this weekend and will make an appropriate decision in due course.

Furthermore, there have been some slight amendments to start times of football matches between Maryborough v South Bendigo:

Round 7: Maryborough v South Bendigo @ Princes Park Maryborough:

• Under 18: 11.00am (was 10.45am)
• Reserves: 12.45pm (was 12.30pm)
• Seniors: 2.30pm (was 2.20pm)

The BFNL and competing clubs also acknowledge that confirmed participation of all round 7 matches this weekend remains subject to change, as Castlemaine and Kyneton monitor and assess the ongoing health and wellbeing of all participants, team officials, and volunteers, and may make further decisions impacting round 7 scheduling as considered appropriate at any time prior to the match.

Whilst we appreciate this may present some uncertainty this weekend, we sincerely thank all clubs and members of the wider BFNL community for the varied support offered to both the Castlemaine and Kyneton FNC’s during this difficult time who will continue to make all decisions in the best interests of all club members.

The BFNL Board also wish to confirm that all round 6 matches between Kyneton and Castlemaine that were abandoned on Saturday the 27th of May 2023 due to the tragic circumstances, have been officially classified as abandoned within the relevant database in line with the definition of BFNL By-Law 13.4 Non-Completion of Matches:

• (b) If any match which has been started and cannot be completed for reasons beyond the control of the affiliated Senior or affiliated Junior Club or Clubs, or where a match has been cancelled at the direction of the officiating umpire, the following procedures shall apply:
• (i) Subject to clause (iii) below, if a game is concluded prior to half time and the match cannot proceed within the scheduled time, the teams shall depart the arena and the match will be declared a draw. Each team will be awarded two premiership points and the scores of the teams at the time the match was interrupted would be used to calculate the percentages.

Given this remains a fluid situation, any further relevant updates will be shared as received.