The Bendigo v Ballarat and Heathcote District v Central Murray AFL Victoria Community Championships matches will be played as a double header at the QEO on Saturday, May 13, in what will be a bumper day of action starting at 11am.

The program of matches will feature Bendigo playing goldfields rivals Ballarat in senior and under-18 football and open and 17-under netball.

Heathcote District will play Central Murray in senior football and open netball.

The feast of football and netball at the QEO comes on the back of the region being starved of inter-league last year when the Bendigo, Heathcote District and North Central leagues played away games against lower-ranked opponents, and Loddon Valley didn’t field teams.

“With the QEO being in great nick, it’s going to be a fantastic promotion for football and netball to bring together four leagues on the one day,” BFNL manager Denis Bice said on Wednesday.

After leading Bendigo to victory against Gippsland last year, Brett Fitzpatrick will again coach the Bendigo senior team against Ballarat in what will be the 9 v 10 clash in the AFL Victoria rankings.

Former Kangaroo Flat coach Jason Stevens has been appointed the under-18 coach.

“We are extremely fortunate to have two quality coaches with extensive coaching experience looking after our inter-league teams,” Bice said.

The netball coaching panel is still to be finalised.

Heathcote District announced a coup in January with former North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley its 2017 senior coach.

May 13 QEO inter-league program:

11am – Bendigo v Ballarat, under-18 football;

12.30pm – Bendigo v Ballarat, 17-under netball;

1.30pm – Heathcote District v Central Murray, senior football;

1.45pm – Heathcote District v Central Murray, open netball;

3.10pm – Bendigo v Ballarat, open netball;

4pm – Bendigo v Ballarat, senior football.