Ballarat Football Netball League is reviewing its junior football age levels.
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BFNL general manager Shane Anwyl said there had been some participation rate issues since the junior competition had gone to odd numbers - particularly with under-17s.
AFL Goldfields oversaw a change of age groupings for the 2019 season.
Under-16.5 moved to under-17, under-14 to under-15, under-12 to under-13 and under-10 to under-11.
The BFNL is no longer part of an AFL Goldfields administrative hub.
Anwyl said there was a concern about the drop-off rate in the highest age group, with some clubs having trouble filling two teams - seniors and reserves.
He said while raw registration figures appeared strong in the under-17s, they did not necessarily convert to the number of youngsters playing on a regular basis.
Anwyl said a survey had shown the difficult some clubs had retaining boys in the age group as individual's interests broadened.
He said a proposal for 2021 was being put together based on the information gathered.
It will be considered at a BFNL board meeting on Wednesday.
Anwyl said the board wanted a structure which was sustainable for the long-term.
Anwyl said there were no issues with participation rates in the younger age groups, but any changes would have to be across the board.
Anwyl said the netball community was pleased with the existing age groups - 19/under, 17/under, 15/under, 13/under and 11/under - and there were no plans for change
They also remained unchanged when football age groups were previously altered.
Meanwhile at senior club level, the under-19 age grouping is also being examined.
All clubs are being surveryed on this competition.
The thirds moved from under-18.5 to under-19 in 2019.
THE BFNL is preparing to appoint a netball manager and junior operations manager.
The appointments are part of the league's administrative restructure after leaving the former AFL Goldfields regional hub.
The netball position is in the process of being filled, with the role to begin at the start of February.
Advertising will begin shortly for a junior operations manager for a start in the new year.
