Sport
22 October, 2024
Magpies looking to regroup
As reported in Friday’s edition of The Maryborough District Advertiser, the Maryborough Football Netball Club have officially entered into recess for the 2025 season.
The news comes as a blow to the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL), who are set to be reduced to an eight-team competition in 2025.
Friday’s press release was released at 12 pm, confirming Maryborough’s recession for the first time in 80 years — the last occasion coming in 1945, in the back end of the Second World War.
“The Maryborough Football Netball Club (MFNC) will enter into recess for the 2025 season,” the press release reads.
“The decision, made after extensive consultation with club members, players, and the community, will allow MFNC to focus on rebuilding its strength, both on and off the field, with a view to returning to the BFNL in 2026.
“In recent years, the club has faced significant challenges, including declining player numbers and increased pressure on volunteers. After carefully considering all options, the club committee deter-mined that a temporary hiatus would offer the best chance to reorganise and come back stronger.”
The challenges has seen Maryborough lose its past 64 football matches in the senior division, dating back to the 2021 season, while the netballers have similarly struggled, with eight wins in 48 games from 2021 to 2023, before dropping back to the A reserve competition in 2024, where they were able to make finals before bowing out in the first semi-final.
"We want to assure our loyal members, supporters, and the wider community that this decision is not the end for Maryborough Football Netball Club." — Scott Quinlan, Maryborough FNC president
Options the Magpies took to try continue their presence in 2025 included exploring a move to the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League and Central Highlands Football League, both of which fell over, as well as a merger with clubs in the district, in particular, the Maryborough Giants.
However, with none of these options available to the club, the Magpies had no choice but to enter recess for 2025.
“We want to assure our loyal members, supporters, and the wider community that this decision is not the end for Maryborough Football Netball Club,” Maryborough president Scott Quinlan confirmed in the press release.
“By taking a step back in 2025, we can focus on strengthening our foundations, recruiting, and planning a sustainable future for our club. Our goal is to return in 2026 with renewed energy and commitment.”
The BFNL confirmed they supported the decision.
“The BFNL support the decision of the Maryborough FNC to enter into recess for the 2025 season and while we understand this is disappointing news for many within the Maryborough community, the BFNL are committed to supporting the club where possible to ensure that 2026 will be a successful return for the Maryborough Magpies,” BFNL chair Carol McKinstry added.
The club will be seeking to maintain their involvement in the community, which includes the Magpies continuing on in the Bendigo Junior Football League competition.
The Magpies had a successful season, going back to back in the under 14s competition, while also making finals in the under 12s and under 16s.
Junior development programs, social events and volunteer opportunities will also be provided in the interim.
The BFNL now faces the likely, and unique, prospect of seeing one fifth of their clubs in recess for the 2025 season.
Broadford, situated near Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs, were recently accepted into the competition for the 2025 season, but are likely to continue their recess period from the 2024 season.
The Kangaroos last competed in the Outer East Football Netball League in 2023 after undergoing a temporary merger with Yea in 2022, but went into recess for 2024, with their netballers competing in the Northern Football Netball League.