| Ground Address | |
| President | Chris Mortimer
|
| Vice President | Matt Slater Jessica Maslen |
| Secretary | Paula Wheadon |
| Treasurer | Ron Elsbury |
| Club Website | |
The Birregurra Football Netball Club (BFNC), known as the Saints, is one of the most historic and community-driven clubs in the Colac & District Football Netball League (CDFNL). Established in April 1883, the club is one of the oldest in the region and has played a vital role in fostering local sport and uniting the township of Birregurra for more than 140 years.
The club was founded in April 1883, with Mr Edmundson appointed as the inaugural President and James Officer as Secretary. From the very beginning, matches were played at what remains the club’s home ground today—Birregurra Recreation Reserve.
The original playing uniform was red and black, and in the club’s second season (1884), Birregurra faced only one opponent—Lorne—defeating them three times. Early opponents over the next few seasons included Maroon, Winchelsea, Irrewarra, Colac Mercantile, Ondit, Pirron Yallock, and Port Arlington.
In 1895, Birregurra joined the Colac and District Football Association, competing against teams like the Imperials, Union, Elliminyt, and Beeac. By 1900, the club had moved to the Corangamite Competition, beginning a nomadic period in which Birregurra played in nine different leagues over the next 65 years, reflecting the constantly shifting landscape of regional football.
In 1940, due to the challenges of World War II and declining player numbers, Birregurra was one of several clubs struggling to field a team, putting the future of its competition at risk. The long travel demands and labor-intensive rural lifestyle further strained the club, and in 1966, Birregurra temporarily withdrew from competition, with players dispersing to nearby clubs, including emerging rivals like Forrest.
However, 1967 marked the rebirth of the club. The Saints were revived with the support of local families and dedicated figures like Standard, Nichols, and Rowarth. The club re-emerged wearing red, white, and black, changing from its original colours due to a jumper clash with Irrewarra.
A new era of success followed. In 1985, Birregurra captured its first premiership in 25 years, setting the tone for a dominant period. Over the next decade, they added premierships in 1990 and 1994. More recently, the club celebrated back-to-back premierships in 2016 and 2017, reaffirming its place among the CDFNL’s elite.
In total, the club has claimed 14 senior football premierships, including 6 in the CDFNL, and continues to be a formidable presence in the league.
Netball has long been part of the club’s fabric. In 1952, the Birregurra Country Women’s Association established a netball club—then known as “basketball”—which played on a grass court at the recreation reserve.
In 1984, the football and netball clubs formally merged to become a unified sporting organisation. Between 1989 and 2000, junior teams for under-9 and under-11 girls were introduced. Birregurra’s netball program enjoyed great success during the 1970s and 1980s, winning several premierships across various grades.
Today, the club fields seven netball teams, from juniors through to A Grade, with strong participation numbers and a reputation for skill and spirit.
The club’s home ground—the Birregurra Recreation Reserve—remains a central hub for community activity. In 2022, a $400,000 state-of-the-art 150 lux LED lighting system was installed, boosting the ground’s training and event capabilities.
The club is now working toward the next major project: the redevelopment of social and changeroom facilities. Fundraising is well underway, supported by a proactive committee and the generosity of the local community.
The club is experiencing a period of growth, driven by Birregurra’s rising population and renewed community engagement. The BFNC now supports:
The club has launched its ‘Birregurra – Towards 2025’ Strategic Plan, which outlines a long-term commitment to financial responsibility, inclusivity, safety, and sustainability. Part of that vision includes the proposed formation of the Birregurra Sporting and Community Club, aimed at ensuring the community’s sporting needs are met well into the future.
Birregurra’s proud history is meticulously preserved through the efforts of the Birregurra Historic Society and historian Gwen Koop, whose extensive records chronicle every chapter of the club’s story. The publication, “BFNC Inc. Keep ‘Em Jiggen’: 125 Years 1883–2008”, serves as the definitive account of the Saints’ journey, capturing the passion, challenges, and triumphs that have defined the club across generations.
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