The Ballarat Football Netball League, a storied institution with a history dating back to 1893, sought to honor its most outstanding contributors with a series of high-quality Hall of Fame inductee videos.
These videos were to be the centerpiece of their Hall of Fame Induction Awards Night, showcasing the rich legacy of the league and the remarkable stories of its inductees.
Objective:
Create 9 videos: 8 for new Hall of Fame inductees and 1 for a current member elevated to Legend status.
Produce an engaging introduction video to set the tone for the awards night.
Ensure professional-quality production with emotive storytelling and premium visuals.
Conduct 12 interviews with family, friends, and teammates to provide heartfelt narratives for the inductee videos.
The Approach:
Red Onion Creative approached the project with a thorough production strategy combining careful planning, technical expertise, and creative storytelling. The process began with script development and interview preparation, as the team worked closely with the Ballarat Football Netball League to gather key stories and achievements for each inductee.
The Red Onion Creative team then conducted 12 interviews with family, friends, and teammates using a professional four-camera setup to film dynamic, multi-angle footage, complemented by high-quality lighting and audio equipment for a polished finish. Each shoot was managed by a skilled team, including an experienced interviewer who crafted thoughtful questions to elicit genuine and heartfelt responses.
In post-production, carefully chosen audio tracks enhanced the storytelling, while multi-camera angles added visual depth. The project was tied together with a captivating introduction video, featuring a powerful voiceover to set the tone for the awards night and build excitement for the inductees.
The Outcome:
On the awards night, the Hall of Fame videos became the centerpiece of the event, captivating the audience with their emotional depth and cinematic quality. The nine inductee videos and the introduction video were celebrated for their ability to bring the stories of the league’s history and its remarkable individuals to life. Families, players, and fans alike were deeply moved by the personal narratives and high production standards.
Key Takeaways:
This project exemplified Red Onion Creative's ability to blend technical expertise with storytelling to create powerful, lasting impressions. The team’s meticulous planning, creative vision, and flawless execution showcased the profound legacy of the Ballarat Football Netball League and the extraordinary individuals who have shaped its history.
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The Central Rivers Football Netball Leagues faced the challenge of adapting to the digital era while preserving the essence of the traditional football record booklet.
With rising print costs and decreasing demand for physical copies, the leagues sought a modern solution that would deliver the same valuable content in a user-friendly, accessible format.
Red Onion Creative was tasked with developing a digital alternative that would provide all the features of the print record while enhancing accessibility and user engagement through mobile and web platforms.
Objective:
Create a digital version of the traditional football record to replace the print format.
Provide an intuitive, mobile-friendly platform to host key content such as club notes, sponsors, team lists, leaderboards, round previews, live radio feeds, results, and ladders.
Develop a modern website for Central Rivers that integrates the Digital Record into a comprehensive "Game Day" section.
Increase user engagement and expand the reach of league content online.
Position Central Rivers as a leader in digital innovation for grassroots football and netball.
The Approach:
Red Onion Creative rolled out the project in two distinct phases. Phase 1 involved creating a standalone "Digital Record" that mirrored the traditional print format in a custom-built web design. The design replicated the familiar layout of the printed record while leveraging digital tools to enhance functionality, such as interactive team lists and live updates.
Phase 2 saw the development of a brand-new Central Rivers website, designed to provide a seamless user experience. The website integrated a "Game Day" section, incorporating all the elements of the Digital Record alongside additional features like live match coverage and dynamic content updates. This approach ensured the Digital Record became an integral part of a broader online ecosystem, enhancing its value and utility for users.
Throughout the process, Red Onion focused on usability, ensuring the platform was accessible across devices, including smartphones and tablets. Collaboration with the leagues ensured that weekly updates, club notes, and other key content were seamlessly integrated and visually engaging.
The Outcome:
The transition from print to digital was a resounding success, positioning Central Rivers as a pioneer in grassroots football’s digital transformation. The Digital Record provided fans with a readily available, mobile-friendly platform that retained all the features of the traditional booklet while adding interactive and real-time capabilities.
User adoption soared, with significantly higher engagement on the Digital Record and website compared to the limited sales of printed records in previous years. Clubs and fans embraced the new platform, citing its convenience and enhanced accessibility. The integrated "Game Day" section further solidified the website as a central hub for league content, fostering stronger connections between fans, clubs, and the broader community.
The project also delivered cost savings by eliminating the need for print production, aligning with the leagues’ goal of financial sustainability. Red Onion Creative’s innovative approach positioned Central Rivers as a leader in digital solutions, setting a benchmark for other grassroots leagues.
Key Takeaways:
Red Onion Creative demonstrated its ability to innovate and modernise grassroots sports communication with the successful implementation of a Digital Record and a comprehensive website for Central Rivers. By adapting a cherished tradition into a contemporary format, the project enhanced user engagement, reduced costs, and showcased Red Onion’s expertise in digital transformation for sporting organizations.
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The Central Rivers Football Netball Leagues faced the challenge of adapting to the digital era while preserving the essence of the traditional football record booklet.
With rising print costs and decreasing demand for physical copies, the leagues sought a modern solution that would deliver the same valuable content in a user-friendly, accessible format.
Red Onion Creative was tasked with developing a digital alternative that would provide all the features of the print record while enhancing accessibility and user engagement through mobile and web platforms.
Objective:
Create a digital version of the traditional football record to replace the print format.
Provide an intuitive, mobile-friendly platform to host key content such as club notes, sponsors, team lists, leaderboards, round previews, live radio feeds, results, and ladders.
Develop a modern website for Central Rivers that integrates the Digital Record into a comprehensive "Game Day" section.
Increase user engagement and expand the reach of league content online.
Position Central Rivers as a leader in digital innovation for grassroots football and netball.
The Approach:
Red Onion Creative rolled out the project in two distinct phases. Phase 1 involved creating a standalone "Digital Record" that mirrored the traditional print format in a custom-built web design. The design replicated the familiar layout of the printed record while leveraging digital tools to enhance functionality, such as interactive team lists and live updates.
Phase 2 saw the development of a brand-new Central Rivers website, designed to provide a seamless user experience. The website integrated a "Game Day" section, incorporating all the elements of the Digital Record alongside additional features like live match coverage and dynamic content updates. This approach ensured the Digital Record became an integral part of a broader online ecosystem, enhancing its value and utility for users.
Throughout the process, Red Onion focused on usability, ensuring the platform was accessible across devices, including smartphones and tablets. Collaboration with the leagues ensured that weekly updates, club notes, and other key content were seamlessly integrated and visually engaging.
The Outcome:
The transition from print to digital was a resounding success, positioning Central Rivers as a pioneer in grassroots football’s digital transformation. The Digital Record provided fans with a readily available, mobile-friendly platform that retained all the features of the traditional booklet while adding interactive and real-time capabilities.
User adoption soared, with significantly higher engagement on the Digital Record and website compared to the limited sales of printed records in previous years. Clubs and fans embraced the new platform, citing its convenience and enhanced accessibility. The integrated "Game Day" section further solidified the website as a central hub for league content, fostering stronger connections between fans, clubs, and the broader community.
The project also delivered cost savings by eliminating the need for print production, aligning with the leagues’ goal of financial sustainability. Red Onion Creative’s innovative approach positioned Central Rivers as a leader in digital solutions, setting a benchmark for other grassroots leagues.
Key Takeaways:
Red Onion Creative demonstrated its ability to innovate and modernise grassroots sports communication with the successful implementation of a Digital Record and a comprehensive website for Central Rivers. By adapting a cherished tradition into a contemporary format, the project enhanced user engagement, reduced costs, and showcased Red Onion’s expertise in digital transformation for sporting organizations.
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Promotional Content series through partnership with the Ballarat FNL
As one of Ballarat’s leading strength and conditioning gyms with a strong sense of local community, RAD Centre is a key supporter of the Ballarat Football Netball League and its legion of rising athletes. Red Onion Creative was commissioned to help increase the profile and awareness of RAD Centre within the Ballarat FNL community.
Objective:
Deliver multiple 90 second profile and promotional pieces, highlighting the services and opportunities RAD Centre have to offer.
Create engaging and consumable videos for a targeted audience within the BFNL and wider Ballarat community.
Build a sense of identity and community for the brand with personal case studies from athletes that utilise the gym and services.
Provide quality and informative pieces for the audience using interviews with Rad Centre staff members.
The Approach:
The idea to highlight RAD Centre’s high-quality facilities was an early driver for the Red Onion Creative team when imagining and developing the story and look of the videos. Working with the team at RAD Centre we were able to establish the key tones and messages that the client wanted to deliver from this project.
With a focus on connecting with the local community and emphasising the wide range of quality services and equipment at RAD Centre, we implement key techniques to achieve this. By conducting interviews on location at RAD Centre, it gave the audience a first-hand look at the business. Speaking with members from the RAD team, their in-depth knowledge of their trade and facility also provided an insightful look to the brand.
Red Onion Creative also produced several case study videos with clients of RAD Centre, speaking of their personal experience at the business. This provided a unique yet relatable perspective to the business as prospective customers were given a relevant testament from fellow athletes.
The Outcome:
Red Onion Creative produced multiple 90-second video packages for RAD Centre, to be released on the Ballarat FNL social channels as part of a partnership agreement. The videos provided the opportunity for the business to be introduced, highlighted and connected with a targeted audience.
By utilising several key production strategies, the team at Red Onion Creative were able to provide multiple high quality, insightful and engaging video assets. These videos effectively increased RAD Centre’s visibility within the Ballarat FNL community, enhanced its brand identity, and solidified its position as a key supporter of local athletes.
Key Takeaways:
Overall, the project showcased Red Onion Creative’s ability to produce high-quality, engaging video content when working with clients that effectively conveyed key brand messages, connection with the audience, and enhanced reach within the online, social media community.
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2024 Grand Final Highlights and Interview Video Packages
The Victorian Football League (VFL) and VFL Women’s (VFLW) Grand Finals represent the pinnacle of the season, showcasing the best teams and players. Red Onion Creative was commissioned to capture and produce high-quality video packages that would encapsulate the drama, emotion, and excitement of both Grand Final days.
Objective:
Deliver two 90-second highlight packages, one for each Grand Final, showcasing the key moments of the games and the winning teams’ experiences.
Produce three 90-second interview pieces for each Grand Final, including Winning Captain, Winning Coach, and Best on Ground Award Winner videos, enhanced with match-day B-roll footage.
Capture behind-the-scenes content that provided an intimate view of the Grand Final day, including pre-match preparations, game highlights, and post-game celebrations.
Create visually compelling and emotive videos that reflect the grandeur and emotion of the Grand Final experience.
The Approach:
Red Onion Creative deployed a skilled team equipped with professional cameras, microphones, and gear to capture every key moment of the VFL and VFLW Grand Finals. The day began with filming pre-match activities, including player warm-ups, fan interactions, and preparations. During the games, operators focused on capturing standout action, coach-player interactions, and halftime strategy moments.
Post-game, the team documented celebrations, from the final siren to medal presentations and change-room festivities. Interviews with Winning Captains, Coaches, and Best on Ground Award Winners were filmed immediately, incorporating match-day B-roll for added depth. The post-production team then crafted polished, emotive video packages with seamless editing and professional audio enhancement.
The Outcome:
Red Onion Creative delivered compelling 90-second highlight packages and interview pieces for both the VFL and VFLW Grand Finals. The videos captured the thrill of the matches, personal triumphs, and the emotional journey of the winning teams. Fans and stakeholders praised the high-quality storytelling, which authentically showcased the excitement of Grand Final day.
The content elevated the league’s digital presence, engaging audiences and providing a lasting celebration of the 2024 season’s pinnacle event. The project demonstrated Red Onion’s ability to deliver impactful, professional video content under tight timeframes.
Key Takeaways:
This project highlighted Red Onion Creative’s ability to manage large-scale event coverage and transform raw footage into emotive, polished video packages. By combining technical expertise with creative storytelling, the team captured the intensity and celebration of the VFL and VFLW Grand Finals, delivering content that connected with fans and celebrated the league’s premier events.
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The Victorian Football League (VFL) and VFL Women’s (VFLW) competition required high-quality video content to support their digital media strategy for the 2024 season.
With clubs from across the league participating, the media day aimed to capture a comprehensive suite of pre-produced assets, including interview-style content with club captains, for use throughout the year.
Objective:
Capture professional, engaging interview content with club captains from all VFL and VFLW clubs.
Ensure efficient coordination of athletes and staff to streamline production on the day.
Create content that could be easily repurposed for various campaigns throughout the 2024 season, maximizing the value of the footage captured.
The Approach:
Red Onion Creative brought a professional and tailored approach to the media day held at ETU Stadium (North Port Oval). In preparation, the team collaborated with the VFL to develop a set of relevant and specific interview questions, ensuring the content would resonate with fans and suit a variety of promotional contexts.
On the day of the shoot, Red Onion provided all necessary equipment, including high-quality cameras, lighting, and audio equipment. A skilled crew of camera operators and production staff were on-site to ensure smooth execution. Team members were stationed to engage with athletes, ask prepared questions, and direct them around the set to maximize efficiency and comfort. The production team’s professionalism and expertise ensured a relaxed yet productive atmosphere for the players and staff involved.
The Outcome:
The media day was a resounding success, with Red Onion Creative delivering high-quality video content that met all aspects of the VFL’s brief. Over the course of the day, interview content was seamlessly captured with club captains, representing every team in both the VFL and VFLW competitions.
The team provided the league with engaging and polished video content ready for distribution across social media platforms and other promotional channels. The videos prominently showcased the athletes, highlighting their personalities and building excitement for the 2024 season.
Key Takeaways:
Red Onion Creative demonstrated their expertise in video production and event coordination, delivering a seamless experience for the VFL and producing high-quality content that amplified the league’s media strategy. The project showcased Red Onion’s ability to manage complex shoots, collaborate effectively with clients, and create impactful assets that drive engagement and excitement for sporting events.
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This edition is all about weaving sponsors seamlessly into your everyday digital content—so everyone wins: your partners gain meaningful exposure, your followers get extra value, and your club deepens its community ties. Below you’ll find five quick-fire tactics, a link we loved, and a peek at something we’ve built lately.
Why Sponsor Integration Matters
Sponsors are more than logos on jumpers or signs on a fence—they’re part of your club’s identity. Done right, sponsored content:
Amplifies reach by tapping into both your audience and the sponsor’s.
Adds credibility when you feature businesses that genuinely support community sport.
Strengthens relationships—both with sponsors (who feel seen) and with fans (who get useful extras).
1 - Include Sponsors in Your Regular Content Series
Do you post a weekly “Player of the Match” or “Highlight of the Week” reel? Add a quick branded frame or a sponsor tagline. Your most-viewed content becomes an effortless shout-out to partners—no extra post required.
2 - Create Dedicated Sponsor Spotlights
Give sponsors their moment, but keep it human. Share why they back community sport, spotlight their staff at a match, or bundle in a limited-time offer for your members. Story-driven posts crush generic “thanks to our sponsor” graphics every time.
3 - Turn Sponsors into Content Partners
Think utility, not advertising:
Physio sponsor → Injury-prevention tips before big games.
Local café → Game-day coffee discounts for followers.
Auto mechanic → Seasonal car-care checklists for travelling fans.
When a sponsor’s expertise solves a real problem, their promo feels like a perk, not a pitch.
4 - Make It Visual
Consistent co-branding—logos, colours, or dual-watermarked photos—looks professional and keeps recognition high. Need design muscle? Check out our Graphic Packages—we’ll elevate sponsor creatives so they slot straight into your social feed.
5 - Keep It Authentic & Balanced
Audience first—always. Over-commercial content tanks engagement. Instead, sprinkle sponsor mentions naturally and lean on short-form video: a 15-second player thank-you or behind-the-scenes sponsor cameo often outperforms long-form ads.
Sign up for our newsletter to learn simple ways to improve your club’s social media and bring in more revenue.
🌐 Link We Loved
The AFL’s ClubHelp site is a free library of templates, policies and how-to guides for grassroots footy clubs, covering everything from governance and finance to match-day ops.
📣 From the Studio
To kick off the 2024 BFNL season with a laugh, we had one player from each club draw their Round 1 opponent’s logo from memory. The results? Hilarious, chaotic, and surprisingly creative.
This simple idea turned into one of the league’s most engaging content pieces, racking up big numbers across socials and getting fans buzzing before the first bounce.
And that’s game.
Thanks for tuning in this edition. Catch you next week with more tools, tips, and design wins straight from the heart of the clubroom.
This edition we cover how to reach more fans, more often with a direct playbook for short video, a donation tool that streamlines fundraising, and a walkthrough of the new MCDFNL website.
How to Grow Your Club Online with Short Videos
Short-form video is the most effective format for building your club’s audience. It’s quick to produce, easy to share, and reaches people beyond your followers, especially on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
In 2025, expectations have changed. The 60-second cap doesn’t matter. Over-editing doesn’t help. What works is honest, consistent content with a clear hook and message.
Viewers watch longer videos — two to three-minute clips perform if the content holds up
The opening matters — you’ve got two seconds to earn attention
📷 How to Film Better
Use your phone and shoot vertical
Stay close, keep it steady, and use natural light
Capture real sound when it adds value
Don’t zoom, move closer to what you’re capturing
Edit in the app for quick captions and trending audio
🛠 Use Three Content Pillars
Keep things consistent by focusing on three weekly themes:
Matchday: goals, reactions, atmosphere
Training: drills, challenges, behind-the-scenes
People: players, coaches, volunteers, supporters
📲 8 Video Ideas You Can Post Now
Mic’d-up warm-up moment
Volunteer feature
Coach team talk
Locker room playlist check
Time-lapse of field setup
Skill challenge of the week
Post-match reactions
Player Q&A
🚫 What to Avoid
Skipping captions
Posting once and disappearing
Using trends that don’t suit your club
Ending every video with “follow us” Over-editing or polishing unnecessarily
🥇 What Works in 2025
Post two to three times per week
Show faces, voices, and emotion
Keep each video focused on one idea
Capture what’s already happening
Your club already has the content. It’s at training, on game day, and in the rooms. Just film it and share it. The more people you reach, the more valuable your club becomes to potential sponsors.
Sign up for our newsletter to learn simple ways to improve your club’s social media and bring in more revenue.
🌐 Link We Loved
Australian Sports FoundationFundraising PlatformLets clubs collect tax-deductible donations onlineand track every dollar.
📣 From the Studio
Earlier this week the Red Onion dev team launched the new look Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League Website.
The key requirement from the brief was to develop a user-friendly interface for delivering league news and resources, while ensuring it remained easy for staff to update and manage independently.
And that’s game.
Thanks for tuning in to this edition. Catch you next time with more tools, tips, and design wins straight from the heart of the clubroom.