Statement from Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey
Council is shocked and disappointed to hear the Woady Yaloak Warriors Junior Football Netball Club have been excluded from the Ballarat Football Netball League competition in 2026.
The Woady Yaloak Football and Netball Club has become a vital pillar of the community since its establishment in 2019, giving children and families from Ross Creek, Haddon, Smythesdale, Scarsdale, and Snake Valley a place to come together and connect through sport.
As the western corridor of Ballarat continues to grow, the club has played an essential role in helping young people build friendships, stay active, develop skills and feel connected through social interaction. The work of volunteers and committee members has helped shape the club into a trusted and valued part of the community.
The club’s steady expansion has been impacted in recent times as football participation across the region has experienced its challenges. However, the club’s entry level football programs continue to prosper as does its netball program.
Council shares the community’s disappointment with this decision and the impact it will have on junior levels. Investment in junior sport is essential because it provides people of all ages safe, structured opportunities to stay active, build confidence, and stay connected to their community, especially children, young people and their families.
Council and the State Government have, and continue to make significant investments to upgrade the club’s facilities, including:
- An oval upgrade
- Netball Changerooms
- Sports lighting upgrades (oval and netball/tennis courts)
- Netball/Tennis Court Redevelopment (currently under construction)
Council will work with the club, local community, the Ballarat Football Netball League and other key partners to determine an agreed way forward and ensure that our community are supported and our recreation facilities are well utilised.