BFL junior teams considering breaking away over age group dispute

The BFNL board of directors is refusing a request by 10 of their 11 junior clubs - Darley is not part of the lobbying group - to bring forward a change in age groups from odd to even years to next year.

The BFNL has determined to stick with its decision to change age levels from under-11, 13, 15 and 17 to under 10, 12, 14 and 16 for 2022.

The clubs are also looking at the option of defying the odd year age groups and selecting teams according the even years they are seeking.

BFNL general manager Shane Anwyl said the board had a second look at a plan based on all information at hand and was standing by its decision.

He said the league was prepared to work with clubs to help with player numbers, by way of allowing over-age exemptions, but it was not in a position to rush the change through for next season.

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Anwyl said the BFNL had spoken with AFL Victoria, which had expressed support for the decision-making process in doing what the board believed was best for the competition.

Mt Clear co-ordinator Tom Molan said the issue had reached the point where something radical was needed to obtain the desired outcome.

He said the future of the top age junior competition was on the line.

Molan said under the existing age structure, which was introduced in 2018 - also against the clubs' wishes and a formal vote taken at the time - the under-17 competition was in jeopardy.

He said player numbers looked like dropping off to the point where some clubs might not get have enough for any teams let along the two needed to fill their quota.

Molan said there was a significant drop-off rate when players reach 17 years of age as other interests appealed more.

He said players of that age did not want to be playing late on Sunday afternoon.

"They prefer to play on a Saturday morning and then be free for the rest of the weekend for other activities."

Molan said it was disappointing the BFNL board had not agreed to a request to meet with the clubs to further discuss the matter.

The coordinators of each club - Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Ballarat Storm, East Point, Lake Wendouree, Mt Clear, North Ballarat, Redan, Sebastopol and Woady Yaloak - signed a letter to the BFL at the weekend requesting special consideration to make the change to even years for 2021.

The letter stated in part:

"...it is essential to avoid 13 and 15-year-olds playing a fourth season as bottom age players. This has led to a significant decline in interest and development across all clubs.

"By leaving the upper age group at under-17, we will see further interruptions and frustrations with a number of clubs unable to fill all teams.

"If we agree to run just one under-17 teams in 2021, the stronger clubs will be forced to turn players away and further impact player numbers moving forward.

"It has already been established in many presentations that juniors who do not get a game at their club of choice do not typically play on at another club."