The Warrnambool and District Football Netball League (WDFNL) is pleased to announce that Fitzmedia will continue as the league’s official broadcast partner for the 2026 season.
This follows the completion of the league’s recent tender process, during which the Board recommended Fitzmedia to clubs as the preferred provider to continue enhancing the league’s broadcast offering.
“We’re really pleased to confirm Fitzmedia as our 2026 filming partner,” League President Larissa Barclay said.
“The Board undertook a thorough process, and we needed to land on a partner who not only delivers a high-quality product, but also understands our competition, our clubs, and our community.”
“We’re really looking forward to kicking off the season next week with our Good Friday match between Merrivale and Old Collegians at Merrivale Recreation Reserve. It’s a great way to showcase what our competition is about.”
The 2026 season marks Fitzmedia’s third year in partnership with the WDFNL, following the introduction of live streaming in 2023.
President Barclay said the partnership has played a key role in strengthening the league’s profile and connection with its broader community.
“The growth in our broadcast over the past few seasons has been significant, and it’s become an important part of how we connect with our community,” she said.
“We have people watching from right across the country, and even overseas, which is something we couldn’t have achieved a few years ago.”
“Importantly, it also ensures our football and netball are given equal visibility, which reflects how important both codes are to our clubs.”
Fitzmedia Owner Liam Fitzgerald said his connection to the league and passion for local sport continue to drive the partnership.
“Having previously played at Allansford and growing up around the WDFNL, I saw a real opportunity to help grow the profile of the competition and deliver a service the league can be proud of,” he said.
“We were fortunate to help pioneer live streaming of local football in 2021 in partnership with ACE Radio, and expanding that into the WDFNL in 2023 has been both challenging and rewarding.”
In 2025, Fitzmedia made the decision to focus solely on the WDFNL, allowing for greater innovation and investment into the broadcast product, including the successful introduction of netball coverage.
“I wanted Fitzmedia to be able to fully invest in the WDFNL, rather than spreading our resources across multiple leagues,” Fitzgerald said.
“Netball has always been a key part of club identity, and introducing live coverage was something I had wanted to do for some time. The response and viewership last season showed it was absolutely the right move.”
WDFNL Vice President Josh McMahon said the league has placed a strong focus on inclusivity and accessibility in the lead-up to the 2026 season.
“It’s fantastic that people can tune in and watch from anywhere,” he said.
“Whether it’s family members living interstate or supporters who can’t make it to games, having a broadcast that is both engaging and informative is really important to us.”
President Barclay said the broadcast also plays an important strategic role for the league moving forward.
“This isn’t just about streaming games — it’s about continuing to modernise our competition and ensuring we remain relevant and accessible,” she said.
“It also creates real opportunities for our clubs and sponsors, giving them greater exposure and helping to strengthen the sustainability of the league.”
The WDFNL broadcast provides significant value for league sponsors and Fitzmedia advertising partners, reaching thousands of viewers each week. “The coverage offers a strong value proposition for our sponsors who support the league each season,” President Barclay said.
“It provides an additional platform to showcase their brand and gives us a genuine point of difference when attracting new partners.”
Fitzmedia’s coverage is free for viewers, supported by advertising revenue.
“Like any free-to-air product, we rely on advertising to continue producing high-quality local content,” Fitzgerald said.
“The WDFNL coverage delivers strong audience reach and provides a great platform for local businesses to connect with the community.”
For information on advertising opportunities within the WDFNL broadcast, please contact sales@fitzmedia.com.au.
For those interested in being involved in the broadcast as a commentator (football or netball) or as part of the production crew, please contact Liam Fitzgerald at liam@fitzmedia.com.au.
