TWO teams will continue to have byes each round in the BFNL’s under-18 competition this season.
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With neither Castlemaine or Maryborough having under-18 teams this year, opponents scheduled to play the two Magpies’ sides instead have a bye, cutting their home and away games from 18 to 14.
However, those byes have been compounded by the fact that seven of the eight remaining teams – Eaglehawk is the exception – are fixtured to play Castlemaine and Maryborough in consecutive weeks.
BFNL general manager Cameron Tomlins last week put a proposal to clubs whereby in the second half of the season the two under-18 teams who have a bye could instead play each other to ensure players aren’t missing out on back-to-back games.
But Tomlins says the proposal, which would have presented some logistical challenges based around scheduling, has been rejected by the majority of clubs and as such, no fixture adjustments will be made.
“There was an overwhelming lack of support, so we won’t be going any further with it,” Tomlins said on Wednesday.
“If there had been a proposal prior to the start of the season, which was before my time, clubs would have been happy to visit it, but while it’s a bit of a let-down, the concept won’t work if the support from clubs isn’t there.
“There was some concerns from clubs in regards to associated costs and pressures on volunteers and club resources, plus the fact that it hasn’t happened in the first half of the season that they just want the season to play out as is.
“There were also quite a few clubs that mentioned due to the lack of games in the first half of the season they had already put in place ideas to fill those holes in the back half of the season, such as curtain-raisers for junior teams or girls matches.
“And there were also some clubs looking at giving under-18 players who have the week off some senior opportunities, whether it be as a player or being involved with the group and getting a bit of a match-day insight.
“So, we’ve put a line through it and move on.”
The BFNL A-grade netball also has two teams having a bye each round with Castlemaine and Kyneton not fielding a side.
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