Sport
31 January, 2026
Junior expansion plans finding favour: Hicks
FIVE clubs have already committed to fielding teams in a new Loddon Valley Football Netball League Under-14 footy competition.
The response to the proposal has encouraged the league, which will discuss the potential structure of the competition at a board meeting on Monday night.
Among the issues will be deciding what is the minimum number of teams that would allow the Under-14s to go ahead.
Bridgewater, Pyramid Hill, Marong, Maiden Gully and new LVFNL club Macorna have said they will join the competition.
Marong and Maiden Gully have numerous under-age teams playing in the Bendigo league, but their pool of players runs so deep they have committed to enter teams.
Macorna also has a strong junior program as it joins the Loddon Valley from the defunct Golden Rivers league.
League president Richard Hicks said he was “positive we will have a competition in some way, shape or form”.
He said the five clubs yet to commit were still working on gathering expressions of interest from prospective players.
Player registration for the 2026 season does not close until the end of February, so there is still time for young players to sign on.
“I can’t see anything negative in getting the Under-14s up and running,” Hicks said.
The league’s Under-18 competition operates with six teams and will add Macorna this season.
Calivil, Mitiamo and Bears Lagoon Serpentine juniors play as the East Loddon Rams in the Under-18s, which may provide a template for the younger competition.