CENTRAL VICTORIA
AFL Victoria has confirmed the future football administration arrangements for Central Victoria, with the new sustainable administration models to take effect from Monday 2 November 2026.
The RAC Transition Project has been designed to support the evolution of football administration by strengthening league capability, governance, and long-term sustainability while ensuring competitions continue to operate with minimal disruption for clubs, players, volunteers, umpires and communities. The project remains focused on maintaining confidence in football operations while supporting leagues through the transition process.
Regional Administration Centres have played an important role in supporting football administration across Victoria. As football has evolved, AFL Victoria, leagues and stakeholders have worked collaboratively to identify administration models that better reflect local needs, governance capability, and future growth opportunities
BENDIGO FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
The Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) will move to a self-management model and assume direct responsibility for its governance, employment, administration, and operations.
The BFNL will also enter into a service agreement to provide administration services to the Bendigo Junior Football League (BJFL), which will retain its independent governance.
As part of the new arrangements, the BFNL will assume responsibility for the management and administration of the current Central Victorian Football League (CVFL), incorporating the existing Under 18 Girls and Open Women’s competitions.
Further information regarding the BFNL’s operating structure and direct employment arrangements will be communicated by the League in the coming days.
CENTRAL VICTORIA SPORTS ADMINISTRATION
The North Central Football League (NCFL) will join the Loddon Valley Football Netball League (LVFNL) and Heathcote District Football Netball League (HDFNL) under a service arrangement with local administration provider Central Victoria Sports Administration (CVSA).
Further information regarding respective league and association administration and direct resourcing arrangements will be confirmed in due course.
CENTRAL MURRAY FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
The Central Murray Football Netball League (CMFNL) will also move to a self-management model, supported by its own staffing, governance, and operating arrangements.
Further information regarding CMFNL organisation structure, and employment arrangements will be communicated directly by the League.
FORMER AFL CENTRAL VICTORIA FOOTBALL & NETBALL ACADEMY PROGRAMS
The Bendigo Junior Football League (BJFL) will assume responsibility for the management of the former AFL Central Victoria Football Academy, with future branding, and program details to be announced in due course.
This follows the recent announcement confirming the collaboration between AFL Central Victoria and the Bendigo Academy of Sport (BAS), which will see BAS expand its existing netball development offering for athletes aged 12–13, providing a clearer progression for talented young players across the region as AFL Central Victoria moves away from directly operating its former Netball Academy
While AFL Central Victoria will transition away from providing direct league administration services, Central Victoria will continue as a dedicated AFL Victoria Country Region, with its existing regional functions continuing through the Region Council, Region Manager, Club Development Lead and regional Participation team, based at La Trobe University Bendigo.
AFL Victoria and AFL Central Victoria remain committed to supporting leagues, clubs, volunteers, umpires and all participants through the transition.
While governance and administration structures are evolving, AFL Victoria will continue to provide strategic support across participation, club development, growth, integrity and community football outcomes. The transition is designed to minimise disruption while strengthening local governance, accountability and the long-term sustainability of football administration across Central Victoria.
AFL Victoria and AFL Central Victoria acknowledges the significant contribution, support and commitment of regional league and association leaders, Boards, managers and administrators across Central Victoria, and their willingness to work collaboratively throughout the transition to progress these arrangements in the best interests of football and netball across the region.
-ENDS-
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