Bendigo FNL Season 2022 - 2023
The Bendigo Football Netball League look forward in anticipation to season 2023, as community sport takes a further step towards post-COVID normality.
Following only a couple of minor COVID-19 related interruptions during season 2022, the BFNL were delighted to once again complete an entire Home & Away season and Finals Series.
Whilst community club life may never return to precisely mirror pre-pandemic conditions, BFNL clubs have united and adapted to absorb challenges under pressure, and some unexpected effects of the pandemic may in fact result in unintended positive change which will remain to enhance club member experience and sustainability.
Considering the significant unprecedented challenges community clubs and leagues were subjected to during seasons 2020 – 2021, the league is delighted that through the sheer determination, resilience, and dedication of club committees and volunteers, our affiliated clubs and the BFNL will enter season 2023 in a strong and viable position at a time where many other clubs, leagues, and regions face uncertain futures.
Regardless of participation and retention concerns during the pandemic, season 2022 ended as one of the most participated, attended, and competitive seasons in recent years. To have 9 of 10 clubs participate in the 2022 Finals series across all grades, a full complement of football teams in all grades, and 49 of 50 netball teams participate was a pleasing result that the league hopes to maintain and grow into season 2023.
Furthermore, the impressive performance of the BFNL netball representative teams at the 2022 Netball Vic Association Championships underlines the current strength of BFNL netball, and new league initiatives such as football live streaming and statistical analysis continue to increase exposure and unprecedented community access and insight.
Amongst season 2022 success stories, the BFNL recognise the efforts of all affiliated clubs based outside of the greater Bendigo region who have enjoyed varied achievements throughout the past 12-months. The continued growth and connection of affiliated clubs such as Castlemaine, Gisborne, Kyneton, and Maryborough within the BFNL remain critical to the future strength of the league.
It is important that such regional based clubs with a long and vibrant history retain major league representation for their communities, whilst offering the league a point of community difference to ensure that the most talented footballers and netballers across the entire region maintain access to a regional pathway opportunity to compete at the highest standard possible.
The BFNL value the affiliation of all clubs based outside of the Greater Bendigo region who are currently developing varied custom platforms for success, whilst the league remains fully committed to support their continued valued partnership, relationship, and future successes within the BFNL.
Of note, the BFNL acknowledge some of the 2022 achievements of the regional based clubs, including the Castlemaine FNC who for the first time several seasons fielded a full complement of football and netball teams, the general netball program stability including fielding A-Grade and A-Reserve netball teams who qualified for Finals, achieving an improved club financial position, the introduction of an affiliated Women’s football team who were crowned Premiers in their inaugural season, and gradually improved football results built on local community connection and investment.
The Gisborne FNC achieved a range of documented individual and team accolades during season 2022, directly attributed to an extended strategic vision of the current Committee. Recent facilities upgrades and the current strength of the off-field position and culture of the club resulted in 2022 Premierships for the Seniors and Under 18’s footballers, A-Reserve, and 17 & Under netballers, whilst the Reserves football and B-Reserve netball teams finished Runners-up. A multitude of individual awards winners headlined by Betty Thompson medallist Maddy Stewart was capped off by the club winning the highly regarded 2022 David McCann Champion Club award.
The Kyneton FNC narrowly missed 2022 Seniors Finals participation by only percentage but continued their growth and development by defeating multiple higher ranked teams during the season. Another club who has recently returned to field a full complement of football and netball teams, the KFNC is in a strong off-field position supported by the growing success of their major raffle and the leadership of the current Committee. Following 2021 recognition as the winner of the AFL Victoria Community Award for club inclusion as acknowledgement for development and leadership within the disability and LGBTQIA communities, the work undertaken to progress their community footprint and commitment to the development of all-abilities and female football programs is equally as impressive.
The Maryborough FNC also achieved encouraging 2022 growth, in a year that marked the incredible 150-year anniversary of the proud club. The club are working extremely hard on developing junior pathways and connection, and after a difficult period successfully reintroduced an Under 18 football team for the first time in approximately 6-years. The successful vision to reintroduce the underage team was achieved, but to also qualify for Final’s and narrowly get knocked out in an elimination that ended in extra-time demonstrates the talent progressing through the pathway and the tireless development work undertaken by the club. Similarly, the 17 & under netballers showed a glimpse of the future by winning an Elimination Final. The recent departure of rising senior football star Aidan Hare who was recruited by Peel Thunder demonstrates that the junior development of local MFNC talent is on track.
Whilst there were many positive outcomes in season 2022, as we move into 2023 many recurring associated challenges return. All community clubs face a range of shared and region unique challenges and external pressures, and all rely on community support and volunteers to survive.
The BFNL acknowledge the varied pressure clubs are subjected to and whilst balancing the complex competing interests of all clubs, remain directly responsible for ensuring the sustainability and viability of the league. Over an extended period, the BFNL have implemented and invested in a range of specific support mechanisms for many clubs to assist with varied challenges and will continue to reduce financial and administrative burden where possible, balance the integrity of the league, and invest in initiatives that enhance the on and off-field position of all affiliated clubs – both football and netball.
The BFNL will continue to engage and collaborate with all affiliated clubs collectively and individually, to ensure the future sustainability, growth, and success of not only each club, but BFNL football and netball in general.
