Netball
18 November, 2024
Horsham District Football Netball League 2025 draw released
The Horsham District Football Netball League has released the draw for the 2025 season, which will commence on Saturday, April 5.
The 2025 Horsham District Football Netball League draw has been released. The season kicks off on Saturday, April 5, and the Grand Final will be played on Saturday, September 13, the same day as the Wimmera Football Netball League preliminary final.
In round one, the reigning premier in football, Harrow Balmoral, travels to Taylors Lake to take on a Lakers side that should be much improved in 2025.
Laharum A-grade netballers get a tough test in round one, hosting Kalkee.
With the grand final being held on the same day as the WFNL preliminary final, the HDFNL board considered holding a potential grand final on the Friday public holiday before the AFL grand final, and other options were presented. Still, everyone was happy to keep it on the Saturday.
HDFNL chair Rosemary Langley, who will serve her final year as chairperson in 2025, said that they are not in competition with any other league and just did what is in the best interests of the HDFNL.
"I want to point out that we are not in competition with any other neighbouring league, and after looking at the pros and cons on when to schedule the grand final, it worked better to keep it the way it is," Langley said.
"Numerous proposals from the board and clubs were put up, and nothing was off the table. We sat down and worked out all the scenarios.
"There were discussions as to how many rounds we have, with 16, 18 and 20 proposed, and if we would start after Easter with Easter falling late next year, but we decided that 18 and starting in the first week of April suited us the best."
Also, the league is reverting to the final five system, last used in 2016. The clubs had no problem going back to the format.
"Both formats have their pros and cons, but in the end, it was decided to go back to this format," Langley said.
"We only had the top six when we had 12 teams in the league."
The HDFNL also has an entire board, something they haven't had in a couple of years. It features Maree Thompson, Ben Tait, Paula Wiedermann, Jeff Maddern, Rosemary Langley, Steve Hoffman, Sharon Fedke, and Kim Kelly.
Steve Hoffmann is the Vice Chair, Kim Kelly is the Treasurer, and Sharon Fedke is the Secretary.
"It gives us a good variety of football and netball representatives on the panel, and we are pleased with that as there is nothing like some new thoughts and ideas to come through," Langley said.
"It's fantastic to have a full board. There are new people, new ideas, and fresh thoughts, and it's great for the league.
"There are also a handful of people who have put their hands up and are on a waiting list, and that's fantastic news for the league that we have that interest."
The league's next project is implementing its new four-year plan, and Langley said it's exciting.
"We are bringing the new board up to speed with a few things, and we have ratified our new strategic plan and are working on that, which will be released in the next few weeks," Langley said.
"It's up to the board and clubs to pick out a few things, and there is plenty there and plenty of scope for improvement, so it's exciting."
Clubs with multiple home grounds will work with the league to allocate venues in the coming weeks.
