Four divisions will headline the new-look competition, offering players a complete pathway from under-14's to seniors.

Clubs from across the Ballarat, Central Highlands Football League and Riddel District football leagues will compete in the 2021 season, with many fielding female sides after a long time away.

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North Ballarat is one such club, with its senior side preparing for a maiden campaign.

"It's pretty exciting for the girls. It's a well-worn line, but obviously, with not having much to do last year, the girls are really keen to get out there and have a kick of the footy," the club's female football director Anthony Tigchelaar said.

"We made the decision 12 months ago to run with a female senior team this year. It's probably been a lot tougher than we anticipated, but we want to provide the pathway to the junior girls as they get older and also reward some of the girls that have been through that junior program already."

Tigchelaar relented that it would be tough this year, with participation numbers a struggle after a year on the sidelines.

"There's going to be a lot of hard work this year," he said.

"We're still looking for numbers, and we're going to need to get some support from the clubs we're playing against and also from some of our under-18 girls.

"We've taken the view as a club that it's going to be tough the first 12 months anyway, so let's do it, and it will be greener pastures ahead from next year."

The women's competition used to be played under the banner of AFL Goldfields but has been revamped after the Ballarat Football Netball League's decision last year to take back control of its administration.

BFNL football manager Scott Carey said it was an easy decision to keep the competition running.

"Female participation is growing, and it's incumbent on us to provide that opportunity," he said.

"We're very keen to ensure that our female football clubs will become independent football clubs where they can be sustainable and thrive on their own two feet.

"To do that, you need to have a full complement of sides and numbers filtering in from Auskick right through to the senior competition.

"For us to have sustainable female football clubs and a viable competition moving forward, its important for clubs to provide that opportunity across a number of age groups."

The 12-round season begins this Sunday, with nine senior teams competing.

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