From this season, the BASL will introduce a two-tier structure for its men's and women's competitions, which have been renamed to reflect the broader central Victorian region and not just its Bendigo origins.

In a bid to lure new teams and increase participation, the league has scrapped its requirement for clubs to field a minimum number of senior teams - currently three -enabling clubs to enter a single team in either the men's or women's competitions.

As such, only men's league one will have a two-team (seniors and reserves) entry requirement.

It is the second major restructuring of the competition in the past five years following the league's 2017 decision to welcome four new clubs from the former Goulburn North East Football Association.

Joining the expanded competition at that time in the men's division was Shepparton, Shepparton South, Shepparton United and Tatura.

Shepparton South and Shepparton United also fielded teams in the women's division, while Tatura has since added a women's team.

Read more: New BASL era begins with new teams joining competition

The changes follow a 12-month review by a league sub-committee, tasked with developing an updated long-term strategic plan.

The draft plan included a number of key recommendations for the 2022 season.

One of the most critical and immediate outcomes was a change to the preferred senior competition structure that would create a long-term opportunity for growth, while supporting the needs of existing senior clubs.

BASL president Aaron Shooter insists the revised structure will allow greater flexibility for current and future clubs, while allowing an opportunity for new clubs to grow into the league.

Under the new structure:

* The men's competition will be separated into a two-tier structure (entry dependant), with League 1 designed for clubs able to field both seniors and reserves and League 2 designed for single team entries or for additional teams where clubs have the capacity to enter teams in addition to their League 1 teams;

* The women's competition will be also separated into a two-tier structure with a single team entry required for each league.

* The change allows clubs to enter multiple teams or for new clubs to enter with a single entry, with competitions allowing promotion and relegation.

BASL president Aaron Shooter declared the new structure as 'a significant outcome for football in the region'.

"The board and I truly believe the structure sets us up for both short term stability and future growth," he said.

"The immediate benefit to current clubs and their members will be improved fixturing, meaning more football more often, and addresses the clear feedback from both clubs and players alike over recent years.

"Excitingly, it also allows for new or existing regional clubs to apply for entry to the competition without the pressure to develop a three-team senior set-up in their first year, in turn allowing a path for growth."

Shooter praised the energy and vision of the strategy sub-committee members, the staff who brought the vision to life and his fellow board members for their support of what he believed would be a significant opportunity for senior football in the region.

The rebranded competitions include:

* ANT1GK Central Victorian League 1 (men's and reserves);

* ANT1GK Central Victorian League 1 Women's;

* ANT1GK Central Victorian League 2 Men's;

* ANT1GK Central Victorian League 2 Women's;

* ANT1GK Central Victorian Youth.

The senior season will kick off on April 2 and 3, with competitive juniors to follow on April 23 and non-competitive juniors on April 30.

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