Riddell District and Ballarat football netball league’s under-16 football competitions could be merged following recommendations from a report into both junior competitions.
AFL Goldfields, which oversees four football competitions including the RDFNL and BFNL, completed a year-long review into the junior programs of all four competitions.
A 22-page report, including recommendations, was released by AFL Goldfields last week.
The biggest change to the current junior structures was the recommendation to consider combining the under-16 competitions of the RDFNL and BFNL.
It suggested that the two competitions merge to form a graded under-16.5 AFL Goldfields League in 2017, with two possible models suggested.
One model would see teams graded and then split into three divisions, with bigger clubs fielding two teams.
The other model would see teams placed in divisions/conferences based on geography for half a season, then graded into smaller competitions.
Other recommendations in the report include:
- The introduction of a third under-10 football team per club in the BFNL, with player cap number for that age group increased to 60 players.
- The introduction of a Melton-based football/netball development advisory committee tasked with growing the game in the Melton region, due to the fast development of the area and low participation rates.
- Capping the number under-10 football teams to three per club and two teams per club in other age groups in the RDFNL. Clubs with enough existing registrations from 2015 could possibly field further sides.
- One netball team per club per age group in the RDFNL.
- The consideration of a mercy rule during football games across all four competitions.
The report recommended that the junior structures of the Maryborough Castlemaine District and Central Highlands football leagues stay the same.
