Bendigo: Broadford and BFNL confirm talks about becoming next club in 2025

The Bendigo Football-Netball League has confirmed talks have been taking place to admit Broadford in 2025. See the statements from both parties.

The Bendigo Football-Netball League is poised to throw Broadford a lifeline in 2025 after spending this year in recess.

Broadford has played in the Heathcote District, Riddell District and Outer East division two leagues since 2008.

It unsuccessfully applied to join the Kyabram District league before going into recess for this year.

The shock move to enter the Bendigo league, first revealed by the Weekly Times almost a fortnight ago, has been confirmed by league chairwoman Carol McKinstry despite massive question marks on Broadford’s ability to compete with existing clubs including Sandhurst and Gisborne.

“Exploring new avenues for growth is a key part of our strategic vision,” she said.

“We are excited about what the future holds and look forward to the possibility of seeing Broadford competing in the BFNL from 2025 onwards.

“This is an exciting time for our league, and we believe that such developments will contribute positively to the sporting community in the Bendigo region.”

Bendigo Football-Netball League chairwoman Carol McKinstry.

Broadford’s admission to the BFNL only requires the backing of the league’s board led by Professor McKinstry given the club is presently in recess.

“The BFNL will work closely with BFNL clubs and (Broadford) in the coming weeks and aims to ensure that any potential transition is seamless and beneficial for all parties involved,” she said.

“Discussions will focus on logistical considerations, competitive balance, and the overall impact on the league’s structure.”

Broadford has also confirmed its intention to seek admission to the Bendigo league.

“With a few more boxes to tick as a committee to ensure we meet the requirements of a preferred league, currently the (BFNL), including to have a strong player, sponsor and volunteer base behind us, it is crucial we cover all bases first to ensure we are set up as positively and viable as possible to compete,” a club statement said.

“The club looks forward to making an official announcement if and when an application is made.”

Bendigo had been at risk of becoming an eight-team competition in 2025 following Kyneton’s exit last year to the Riddell District league.

Maryborough has attempted to join the Maryborough-Castlemaine District and Central Highlands leagues in recent weeks, but been knocked back.

Maryborough will have to travel 150km to play Broadford if both clubs are in the BFNL next year.

EARLIER COVERAGE

Broadford has emerged as a shock contender to become the Bendigo league’s newest club despite sitting out this season.

The former Outer East division two club went into recess this year when a bid to join the Kyabram District league was rejected.

It recently presented its case for inclusion to the Bendigo Football-Netball League which would be a massive step up from any previous competition it has played in.

Broadford is holding a special general meeting tonight to officially commence the process of resurrecting its football teams that have sat out the 2024 season.

The club transfer window officially opens tomorrow.

Broadford president Bonnie Cavanagh was contacted for comment by the Weekly Times about its intentions for next year including the possibility of joining a major leagues for the first time.

Broadford has spent the 2024 season in recess.

It’s also understood BFNL clubs had until early last week to provide feedback on admitting Broadford.

But ultimately the league’s board of directors, led by chairwoman Carol McKinstry, will make the final decision to admit Broadford because the club is presently in recess and not subject to the same process of a club wanting to transfer to another league that begins with seeking the support of existing clubs.

Professor McKinstry was also contacted for comment.

Bendigo was reduced to nine clubs last year when Kyneton left to join the Riddell District league where Broadford has previously played.

The Riddell District league will become a “premier” competition from next year with clubs having more to spend on players in their salary caps.

Bendigo could also retain Maryborough after bids to join the Maryborough-Castlemaine District and Central Highlands leagues failed to gain majority support of clubs in those competitions.

Bendigo Football-Netball League chairwoman Carol McKinstry. Picture: La Trobe University.

But the option of last resort for Maryborough of going into recess, can’t be discounted after a tortuous season that has included record defeats, the inability to field a reserves team since round three and loaning players from opposition teams to avoiding forfeiting matches.

Bendigo sounded out Echuca and Rochester about making a return to the competition they left in the early 1970s.

But they remain committed to the Goulburn Valley league so the search for a new club turned to the south.

Broadford has a population of 5400 people and is an 80-minute drive from the Bendigo league’s spiritual home, the Queen Elizabeth Oval.

It won two matches and finished fifth in the six-team Outer East league division two competition in 2023.

The most recent “new” club admitted to the Bendigo league was Strathfieldsaye in 2009.

Originally published as Bendigo: Broadford and BFNL confirm talks about becoming next club in 2025