DOWN AND OUT: Golden Point’s decision to go into recess this year means other Ballarat Junior Football Netball League clubs will have an extra bye, and Golden Point players such as Dalton Hay (left) will have to look for other clubs. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER
HASTY changes will not need to be made to the Ballarat Junior Football Netball League fixture as a result of Golden Point’s withdrawal from the 2013 season.
The Ballarat Football Netball League yesterday confirmed the season schedule will remain the same, with fixtures involving Golden Point to become byes for the teams involved.
Golden Point went into recess this week after the Dragons failed to gather enough players to field junior boys football and junior girls netball teams for the coming season.
The Dragons will still have a team in the BFL’s youth girls football league.
“We don’t want to think about changing scheduling because teams have already planned their seasons around the existing fixture,” BFNL operations manager Aaron Nunn said yesterday.
“The easiest thing to do is to make those games which were to involve Golden Point a bye. What that means is that not everyone will get two byes. Those teams that were to miss out on the second bye, will be compensated with an extra bye when they play each other in round 13.
“Unfortunately that means that teams will only play 14 times. Next season we might have to extend the season out to 18 rounds so every team will get two byes and play each other twice.”
While the BFNL had set criteria Golden Point was to meet for inclusion in this season’s competition, Nunn said it was the club’s decision to go into recess.
Golden Point committee members advised the league of the club final decision this week.