The Hampden Football Netball League is thrilled to announce its football and netball coaching appointments for the upcoming interleague weekend against the Ballarat Football Netball League, to be played in Warrnambool.
The Hampden FNL and Ballarat FNL representative sides will meet at Reid Oval on May 23, marking the fourth consecutive interleague meeting between the two competitions. The Under 23 football clash will once again be played for the Clinton Baulch / John Northey Cup, continuing a proud tradition that honours two highly respected figures.
It is the league’s great pleasure to appoint North Warrnambool premiership coach and AFL premiership player Nathan Vardy as the Hampden FNL Under 23 football coach for the 2026 interleague fixture.
Vardy, who spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons as an assistant coach in the HFNL interleague program, will step into the senior role, replacing legendary HFNL coach Adam Dowie, who will remain involved as part of the coaching panel.
League President Shane Threlfall said Vardy’s passion for youth development, combined with his elite-level experience at the Geelong Cats and West Coast Eagles, would be invaluable.
“Nathan is extremely passionate about developing our promising younger players, and his experience at the highest level of the game will be a tremendous asset to our program,” Threlfall said.
Former Western Bulldogs NGA coach Ben Walsh has been appointed Under 17 boys coach for this year’s interleague campaign.
An established senior coach, Walsh has recently worked within the Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy and recruitment programs. Over the past two seasons, he has also served as a co-coach of the Hampden FNL Talent Academy.
“Ben is a terrific coach with an outstanding football brain,” Threlfall said. “He will be a great leader and teacher for our Under 17 players.”
HFNL Life Member and former St Kilda and North Melbourne player Joe McLaren will take charge of the Under 18 girls team in 2026.
McLaren served as an assistant coach in 2025, currently coaches the Koroit female football teams, and over the pre-season has been involved with the GWV Rebels program, assisting the development of local players.
“Joe brings an enormous amount of experience and is extremely passionate about female football,” Threlfall said. “He will be a fantastic mentor for our squad.”
A new inclusion to this year’s interleague weekend will be an Under 23 netball match, showcasing two of Victoria’s strongest netball regions in the Hampden and Ballarat leagues.
Three-time South Warrnambool premiership coach Will Jamison has been appointed to guide the team in its inaugural season. Jamison boasts an impressive coaching résumé and is currently working with Netball Victoria as the Western Talent Academy coach.
HFNL Head of Netball Dot Jenkins said Jamison’s appointment was a major win for representative netball in the region.
“Will is incredibly passionate about representative netball and showcasing our emerging talent. We’re excited to see this program launch under his guidance,” Jenkins said.
The Hampden Football Netball League is pleased to reconnect a former partnership, with Clarke’s Pies rejoining the league as a sponsor for the 2026 season.
The Mortlake-based business, which began in 1949, will be the league’s Official Pie Supplier and will also come on board as a co-sponsor of senior football statistics throughout the season.
Clarke’s Pies is owned and operated by fourth-generation pie maker Nicole McLennan. Nicole and her partner Patrick took over the business from Nicole’s mother, Annette McLennan, in 2019. Nicole remains very hands-on on the bakery floor, working alongside her brother Andrew and a small crew of locals — many of whom have grown up eating Clarke’s famous pies.
Clarke’s Pies products are available throughout western Victoria and south-east South Australia. Keep an eye out for the iconic Pie Man logo when you’re on the road.
HFNL League Administrator Trent Hill said Clarke’s Pies were a league sponsor many years ago, and it is terrific to see the partnership reconnect.
“We’re delighted to welcome Clarke’s Pies back on board,” Hill said. “We sincerely appreciate Nicole and her team’s ongoing support of the league and look forward to a great partnership in 2026.”
The Hampden Football Netball League is excited to welcome Total Tools Warrnambool as a League Sponsor for the 2026 season.
Proudly standing by their motto EVERY TOOL / EVERY TRADE, Total Tools has been passionately servicing Australians for more than 30 years. Stocking the widest range of the world’s leading professional tool brands, customers can be confident they’ll find exactly what they need to get the job done right.
At Total Tools, they KNOW TOOLS. Their experienced and knowledgeable staff are always ready to provide professional advice and outstanding service, with expertise that is unrivalled within the industry. As Australia’s largest independent professional tools retailer, Total Tools continues to deliver the best deals, competitive pricing, and access to the latest product innovations the market has to offer.
In 2026, Total Tools Warrnambool will also be one of the League’s major Interleague partners, while supporting a number of key initiatives throughout the season, including the Total Tools Football Team of the Week.
League Administrator Trent Hill said the League is thrilled to welcome a well-known Australian organisation to the competition.
“We are delighted to partner with Total Tools and look forward to building a strong relationship that supports football and netball across the Hampden FNL throughout the 2026 season.”
The Hampden Football Netball League is thrilled to partner with SL Distributors for the 2026 season.
SL Distributors will become the League’s official drink and confectionary supplier for the HFNL Finals Series, supporting what promises to be another exciting year of football and netball.
HFNL Administrator Trent Hill said the League was delighted to align with a well-respected local business.
“We are rapt to connect with a great local business that services the entire Hampden FNL region. Partnerships like this are vital to the ongoing strength of our competition and community,” Hill said.
“SL Distributors will also sponsor our Junior Footballer and Netballer of the Week throughout the season, which is a fantastic way to recognise and support our emerging talent.”
SL Distributors supply a wide range of products including beverages, confectionery, snacks, coffee, packaging and paper products, cleaning supplies, and firewood. With five dedicated sales representatives on the road, SL Distributors pride themselves on building strong relationships by personally visiting businesses and keeping them informed on promotional activity, new product releases, and the latest buying trends.
Renowned for outstanding customer service and being first to market, SL Distributors offer a 48-hour turnaround from order placement to delivery, ensuring businesses receive what they need, when they need it.
The HFNL looks forward to working closely with SL Distributors throughout the 2026 season and thanks them for their valued support of community sport.
The Hampden Football Netball League is excited to welcome Westvic Scaffolding as the naming rights partner of the 2026 and 2027 Hampden FNL Finals Series.
This two-year partnership reflects a strong alignment between the league and a locally based business with deep connections to community sport. The HFNL Finals Series represents the pinnacle of the season, showcasing the very best football and netball talent, and Westvic Scaffolding’s support will play a key role in enhancing the finals experience.
Established in 2004, Westvic Scaffolding provides expert scaffolding solutions across commercial, industrial and residential projects throughout the region. The business has built a strong reputation founded on safety, reliability and the delivery of customised scaffolding systems tailored to the unique requirements of each client.
With one of the largest scaffolding inventories in south-west Victoria, Westvic Scaffolding is well equipped to service projects of all sizes, ensuring work is delivered on time and on budget. From major construction sites to home extensions, their qualified and experienced team provides dependable support at every stage of a project.
Hampden FNL Administrator Trent Hill welcomes the partnership, highlighting the shared values between the league and Westvic Scaffolding.
“The Finals Series is the highlight of our season, and to have a respected local business like Westvic Scaffolding as naming rights partner for the next two years is a fantastic outcome. Their commitment to safety, reliability and the local community aligns strongly with the HFNL and our clubs.”
Western Victoria Female Football League Announces 2026 Fixture Ahead of Big Season
The Western Victoria Female Football League is proud to announce the release of its 2026 fixture, setting the stage for what is shaping as an exciting season for female football across the region.
The WVFFL is delighted to welcome Branxholme Wallacedale into the competition for their inaugural season. Branxholme Wallacedale will field teams in both the Senior Women’s and Under 15 grades, marking an important milestone for the club and the continued expansion of female football in Western Victoria.
Further strengthening the competition, Terang Mortlake will increase their presence in the league with the introduction of a Senior Women’s team, adding depth and opportunity within their football program.
The 2026 season will also see Warrnambool boast a full complement of female teams, with Under 15 and Under 18 sides joining their existing Senior Women’s squad. In addition, both Port Fairy and Koroit will expand their programs by introducing Under 18 teams, further enhancing development pathways for young players.
From a competition perspective, the Senior Women’s fixture will consist of a 12-round home-and-away season. A highlight of the fixture will be a Hub Round at the Tyrendarra Recreation Reserve on Sunday, March 29, featuring three Senior Women’s matches in a showcase day for the competition.
The Under 18 competition will be played across a 10-round season, while the Under 15 competition will run over nine weeks, ensuring age-appropriate formats that support both participation and development.
Throughout the 2026 season, clubs fielding multiple teams will host double and triple-header match days, creating vibrant club environments and strengthening connections between junior and senior programs.
League Administrator Trent Hill says the WVFFL looks forward to an exciting and highly anticipated 2026 season
“One of the most pleasing aspects of the 2026 fixture is the increase in team numbers right across the competition,” Hill said.
“In particular, the Under 15 age group is a real highlight, with nine teams set to feature this season. That level of participation at the junior level is critical for the long-term health of female football and shows the strength of the pathways clubs are building across the region.”
The Hampden Football Netball League is seeking an U23 Netball Coaches for the 2026 Interleague clash with Ballarat FNL.
The league will meet the Ballarat FNL on Saturday May 23rd at Warrnambool’s Reid Oval.
More Information contact the following:
Trent Hill – HFNL Administrator – 0418 459 528
Dot Jenkins – HFNL Head of Netball – 0417 356 920
Applications close on Friday February 20th at 5pm.
The next crop of rising netball stars in the Hampden FNL have been identified for the 2026 Netball Talent Identification & Development Program.
A squad of 23 players have been selected to take part in the eight-week program, with all ten affiliates represented. The program will take place in March and October, with players undertaking two four week blocks of training.
The program led by Hampden FNL legend Stacey O’Sullivan aims to provide a pathway for players to develop their skills and achieve their full potential, with a view to advancing into talent pathway programs, both league and state.
The program will focus on space awareness, court systems and defence through specific, ball centered activities and modified games.
HFNL Head of Netball Dot Jenkins says this program is a great opportunity for the juniors’ players selected.
“We are excited about the cohort of players selected, and the opportunity to learn from one of the league’s great netball minds will benefit these young girls”.
HFNL Talent Identification & Development Program Squad
Camperdown – Edie Molan, Abigail Sinnott
Cobden – Grace Hester
Hamilton Kangaroos – Taya Sherlock, Tatum Bell, Pippa Richards
Koroit – Indi Cuomo, Greta Greene, Tessa Shanahan
North Warrnambool – Holly Woodward, Ruby Kenwright, Marlee Nevill, Vivienne Smedts, Summer Stone
Portland – Lexie Elford, Maggie Johnston
Port Fairy – Annika Fitzsimmons
South Warrnambool – Elky Veale, Hannah Ragg, Sibella Evans
Terang Mortlake – Tilly Harrison
Warrnambool – Georgie Lee, Layla Turner
The Hampden Football Netball League (HFNL) is thrilled to unveil the 2026 season fixture, promising an
exciting year for players, supporters, and communities across the region.
Key Dates and Highlights
Season Opener – April 11
The 2026 HFNL season will officially commence on Saturday, April 11, launching another highly anticipated year of competitive football and netball across the region.
Good Friday Clash – April 3
A blockbuster Good Friday showdown on April 3 will see South Warrnambool face Koroit at the Friendlies
Society Park. This marquee match is expected to attract a huge crowd as two of the league’s powerhouses
meet under the Easter spotlight.
ANZAC Day Games – April 25
With ANZAC Day falling on a Saturday in 2026, four matches will take center stage across the league.
Indigenous Round – May 30 (Round 7)
Round 7 will celebrate Indigenous Round, recognising and honouring the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to football, netball, and the broader HFNL community.
Interleague – May 23
Interleague football and netball return in 2026, with the HFNL hosting the Ballarat FNL at the Reid Oval.
Matches will include U23, U17, and U19 Female Football, and for the first time, an U23 Netball representative match.
Hybrid Games Return
Hybrid Games will once again feature in 2026, with Koroit, Hamilton, Port Fairy, Camperdown, Terang
Mortlake, and Portland participating. Hybrid Saturdays will see all senior and junior football teams play on the same day across two coordinated venues.
Grand Final
The 2026 HFNL Grand Final will return to its traditional Saturday showcase, with the premiership decider set for September 19.
Supporting Community Causes
The HFNL will again recognise and support important community initiatives throughout the 2026 season, including Connect Round and the Ronald McDonald House Charity Round.
The Hampden Football Netball League is pleased to announce a new partnership with SportsPower Hamilton for the 2026 season. SportsPower Hamilton will proudly serve as the league’s official supplier of footballs and netballs.
SportsPower Hamilton has a long, respected history in the region. Keven and James Quinn—synonymous with sport in Hamilton—purchased the business in July 1986, with Keven’s son, Kane, taking ownership at the beginning of 2025. Their commitment to local sport spans generations and continues to strengthen community participation across the region.
The store offers a wide range of products, including sporting goods for all codes, apparel, footwear, gym and fitness equipment, as well as hunting and fishing supplies. Beyond retail, SportsPower Hamilton is a proud supporter of local football and netball clubs, and also assists the Mininera & District and South West District leagues with end-of-season trophies.
Generosity is also at the heart of the business, regularly contributing to raffles and school fundraisers throughout the region. SportsPower Hamilton is one of more than 100 independently owned and operated SportsPower stores across Australia, forming a network dedicated to providing expert advice and meeting the sporting and fitness needs of their communities.
The HFNL looks forward to working with SportsPower Hamilton in 2026 and thanks Kane and his team for their ongoing support of community sport.
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