Sport
11 July, 2025
MCDFNL rejects Maryborough Magpies application to join league in 2026
The future of the Maryborough Football Netball Club (MFNC) remains in limbo after the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL) voted to reject the Magpies’ application to join the league in 2026.
The decision marks the second consecutive season the league has pushed back an expression of interest from the Magpies to leave the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) for the MCDFNL.
A special general meeting was held on Wednesday night at the Carisbrook Recreation Reserve to decide on the Magpies application that was officially submitted in May and presented to the league last month.
The vote consisting of seven league board members and a representative from all 13 MCDFNL clubs fell shy of the 15 votes Maryborough needed to join the league.
The Magpies have no right to appeal the decision.
In a statement released by the MFNC on Wednesday night, club president Glen Bardsley detailed the news many Magpies members had been dreading to hear again.
“While we are incredibly disappointed, we thank the MCDFNL board and club representatives (presidents) for taking the time to meet with us and consider our application,” he said.
“The decision by the MCDFNL will have a significant and lasting impact on past players and supporters of the MFNC, many of whom now find themselves without a club to call home.
“For over 150 years the club has served as a vital connection point for generations of local footballers and netballers.
“We remain committed to supporting our players, volunteers and community and will now take some time to consider our next steps.”
The MCDFNL also released a statement following the meeting, with league president Paul Wicks acknowledging the effort of the MFNC to present their application.
“We know that the MFNC will be disappointed with this outcome. Their committee has worked hard in an effort to bring the club out of recess and find a new league to compete in,” he said.
“The process for the MFNC to apply has been fair and transparent, and they have presented themselves well.
“However, unfortunately, without the majority support from the MCDFNL members, their application was unsuccessful.”