See below the winners of the Bellarine Football Netball League's most prestigious awards 

Les Ash could well be named the Father of Bellarine and District Football, for it was his leadership of a committed group of Bellarine Club officials that brought the dream to reality.

Les turned his hand to football administration after a distinguished playing career with the Leopold Football Netball Club.

Les was also a life member of the Bellarine Football League. After several years of intense representations, V.C.F.L. investigations and endless meetings, the decision was handed down in late 1970 by the V.C.F.L. that a new League, to be known as the Bellarine & District Football League, would be formed and it would commence competition in Season 1971.

Les was elected the inaugural President of the B.&D.F.L. and immediately embraced a netball section to enhance the family day atmosphere.

The prestigious BFNL Medal will be awarded to the Best & Fairest players in the Bellarine Football Netball League across A, B, C, D, and E Grade Netball Competitions. 

This accolade recognises the player who has been deemed the most outstanding within their respective grade, as determined by the AFL Barwon netball umpire panel.

The Don Cole Medal recognises the outstanding player in the Bellarine Football Netball League Reserves competition, honouring excellence, consistency and sportsmanship throughout the season. Awarded to the player judged best and fairest, the medal celebrates those who exemplify skill, dedication and integrity both on and off the field.

Named in honour of Don Cole, a highly respected figure within the Bellarine football community, the medal acknowledges his significant contribution to the game and his enduring commitment to developing football across the region

Bellarine Football Netball League premierships recognise the teams that finish the season as competition winners across each grade. Premierships are determined by finals performance and represent the highest on-field achievement in each Bellarine FNL competition.

The Josh Finch Medal is awarded to the player judged best on ground in the Bellarine Football Netball League Senior Football Grand Final, recognising the standout individual performance in the competition’s most important match.

The medal honours Josh Finch, one of the most decorated and respected players in BFNL history. Across a career spanning more than two decades, Finch achieved a remarkable record-equalling four Les Ash Medals, claimed 11 club best and fairest awards, and became Modewarre’s all-time games record holder with 336 senior matches.

The Bellarine Football Netball League Senior Football leading goalkicker award is named in honour of Steve “Chooka” Piec, one of the league’s most prolific forwards. Piec topped the league’s goalkicking charts four times, led Barwon Heads to multiple premierships, and claimed 15 consecutive club goalkicking awards. The medal recognises his remarkable scoring ability and lasting impact on the league, celebrating players who follow in his footsteps.

The Netball Hot Shots award is presented annually to the player who kicks the most goals in a season across the Bellarine Football Netball League. The award recognises exceptional scoring ability and consistency, highlighting the player’s contribution to their team and their impact on the competition throughout the season. Over the years, the Hot Shots award has celebrated some of the league’s most prolific goal scorers, forming an important part of the Bellarine FNL’s rich netball history and tradition of recognising outstanding individual achievement.

AFL Barwon is excited to announce the appointment of Edward Wilson as its new Region Manager

effective Monday 20 June 2022.

Edward comes with a wealth of experience in sports management and has held positions as

Executive Officer at Athletics ACT and General Manager – Franchises, Business Development & Events at Touch Rugby League Australia in recent years.

AFL Barwon Chair Craig Keating said Wilson had been impressive in demonstrating his sports

management skills and leadership attributes during the interview process and discussions with AFL

Victoria and the Commission.

“We are really excited to have Edward join our team. He has been very impressive during the

interview process, and we think that he’ll be a fantastic fit in this Region.

“Edward has the skills and experience to help us navigate out of what has been a pretty difficult two

and a half years. We know there is work to do and we want to get started right now.”

Wilson, recently relocated from Canberra and is very excited by the opportunity to lead football and netball in the Region.

“The opportunity to lead AFL Barwon during this period of pivotal change and immense opportunity, is incredibly humbling and is a region I am proud to be a part of”.

“AFL Barwon has a significant standing within the wider AFL community, both in Victoria and across Australia. This is due to the tireless commitment and drive for success the region has always demonstrated, especially in the last two years”. 

“The support and guidance throughout the onboarding period from the AFL Barwon Commission & AFL Victoria, gives me great confidence to execute our strategic vision for the future and to work collaboratively with all stakeholders, in the years to come”.