General Updates
Key Updates
Join us at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong on Wednesday, November 12th, for an evening dedicated to celebration, appreciation, and the recognition of outstanding contributions to football and netball.
The AFL Barwon Community Awards were created to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who make the AFL Barwon community thrive. Whether you’re a passionate supporter, a committed coach, a devoted umpire, or a selfless volunteer, the AFL Barwon Community Awards is your opportunity to come together and applaud the exceptional achievements of the year.
Tickets include canapés and a welcome drink upon arrival for all guests.
Tickets can be purchased from Friday via the AFL Barwon Intix page.
AFL Barwon has confirmed key dates for the 2026 season across its senior football and netball competitions, promising another exciting year of community sport.
The Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) will kick off on Saturday, 18 April, with the season culminating in the Grand Final on Friday, 25 September. Notably, Leopold v St Joseph’s will again be played at Lorne on Easter Saturday, continuing a popular tradition.
The Bellarine Football Netball League (BFNL) starts earlier, with Round 1 on Saturday, 4 April, and the Grand Final scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.
The Colac & District Football Netball League (CDFNL) will have a slightly adjusted schedule. Alvie v Irrewarra-Beeac will kick off on Saturday, 28 March, bringing their Round 4 fixture forward, while two Good Friday games —Lorne v Apollo Bay and Colac Imperials v Alvie will also be played. All other CDFNL clubs will start their season on Saturday, 11 April, ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday, 19 September.
Fixture requests have been sought from clubs to support the commencement of fixtures to be created.
Start dates for all other AFL Barwon competitions, including Senior Female Football, All Abilities, Junior Football and Netball, will be communicated in the coming weeks.
The confirmed dates for the upcoming Annual General Meetings are as follows:
Bellarine Football Netball League (BFNL) and Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL)
AGM Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Time: Geelong FNL (6.00pm), Bellarine FNL (6.30pm)
Format: Virtual (meeting link and agenda will be distributed closer to the date)
AFL Barwon AGM
The AFL Barwon Football & Netball Commission AGM will be held on Wednesday 25 February 2026.
AFL Barwon would like to extend our sincere thanks and congratulations to Will Ross, who has departed the organisation after three years of dedicated service.
During his time with AFL Barwon, Will has made a significant contribution across junior football and umpiring operations, playing an important role in supporting the growth and success of both areas.
Will is now moving on to an exciting new opportunity with GMHBA Insurance, where he will take on a role in Information Technology. This career move aligns with Will’s professional development plan and provides a fantastic opportunity for him to forge a long-term career in this field.
We thank Will for his hard work, professionalism, and commitment to the AFL Barwon community and wish him all the best in this next chapter of his career.
If there are any questions or queries relating to junior football, please contact Head of Football,
Please note the AFL Barwon office will be closed on the following dates:
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Friday, October 31
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Monday, November 3
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Tuesday, November 4
Staff hours may vary across this period, and responses may be delayed accordingly.
We are seeking nominations from clubs for BFNL & GFNL Life Membership.
The criteria for nomination for Geelong FNL or Bellarine FNL Life Membership are that the nominee must have:
- held the position of Football Club President, Secretary or Treasurer with 10 years accumulated service in any of the three roles. This would also include service for a continuous period in a combination of any of the three positions or
- provided 15 years continuous service directly for either league or
- held the position of chairperson of Netball section of a Club serving for 10 continuous years
- and offered the service voluntarily
To nominate, please fill in the below form.
AFL Barwon are seeking an enthusiastic, and motivated person(s) to coordinate the AFL Barwon Junior Netball midweek competitions.
The Netball Competition Coordinator is primarily responsible for managing and coordinating all onsite venue requirements for the AFL Barwon Junior Netball midweek competitions. The AFL Barwon Junior Netball competitions are run across Tuesday and Friday evenings at multiple venues.
The successful applicant will be responsible for liaising with key stakeholders, clubs, netball umpires, AFL Barwon staff and other valuable groups present at our midweek competitions.
Club Development
2025 Junior and Youth Girls Uniform Grant
The AFL, thanks to Fanatics, has launched the 2025 Junior and Youth Girls Uniform Grants Program – with a share in $250,000 available to support uniforms for junior and youth girls. Clubs and Umpires
Clubs can apply for up to $3,000, while Leagues can apply for up to $10,000 to provide specially cut uniforms helping girls feel comfortable, confident, and included on the field.
Applications open 27/10/25 and close at 11.59pm on the 24/11/25
Apply now at https://afl.smartygrants.com.au/junioryouthgirlsuniformgrant2025
Video here - https://play.afl/clubhelp/women-girls/grants
SRV Regional All Abilities Participation Grants
Supports grassroots sport and active recreation clubs and community-based not-for-profit organisations, to enable ongoing, sustainable, and meaningful participation for people with disability in regional Victoria.
Grant amount: up to $25,000 / category. Open: October 1 2025 / Close: 19 November 2025.
For more information - All Abilities funding
Local Sports infrastructure Fund
The Victorian State Government has recently announced the opening of their Local Sports Infrastructure Fund for 2025/26.
This program has 3 funding streams available for funding each with a different maximum grant amounts available.
- Community Facilities
- Lighting
- Planning
As per any Sport and Recreation Victoria Facilities grant, only LGA's are eligible to apply, with applications closing at 5pm, 2 December, 2025.
Can I encourage you to reach out to their Local council contact to discuss any projects that fit the criteria.
Our recommendation is that these discussions should occur sooner rather than later, as most LGA's will formalise a list to present to Sport and Recreation Victoria prior to starting any applications.
SRV 2026-27 Country Football Netball Program
The current round of SRV Country Football Netball Program is open and will close at 5pm Thursday February 26, 2026
See the Link for more information on this State Government program (up to $250k per LGA).
This program is available to AFL Victoria Country affiliated clubs with only LGA's are eligible to apply. Clubs are encouraged to speak to their local council contact to discuss potential projects that may be eligible for submission in either of the two available SRV funding programs.
Registrations are now open for sporting clubs and organisations to become a Get Active Kids Activity Provider ahead of round 9 of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program, opening in October clubs and sporting organisations can register as a provider, which allows families to sign up their kids by used the voucher up front and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
Important Dates
- Round 9 applications open: 10am 15th October 2025
- Round 9 applications close: 13 November 2025 (or earlier if the budget allocation is fully exhausted)
- Voucher expiry date: 31 December 2025
The Volunteer Connect was sent to registered volunteers on the 8th of October. Click here to see some of the stories added, including eSafety Commissioner webinars and much more.
A recent study investigated the way parents are engaged in youth sport (including junior footy) and how this relates to the experience of new families at sporting clubs. Three key themes were identified: (1) Personalising the onboarding experience, (2) Thanks and recognition, and (3) Chats, Check-ins, and Consultation. Click here to read more.
AFL Barwon/AFL Victoria are excited to present an opportunity for existing (Female) Women & Girls coaches who are eager to enhance their skills and advance in their coaching careers. Introducing the Female Coaching Academy which focuses on creating quality coaching environments, coaching at training/game and an opportunity to attend an open training session with local talent league coaches.
Details are found below.
AFL Barwon - Women & Girls Coaching Academy
Elevate Coaching Course (Level 2)
Venue: AFLB HQ at Highton Reserve
Date: Sunday, 9 November 2025
Time: 9:30am - 4:00pm – Three workshops combined in the one day.
Cost: FREE
Any queries regarding these articles can be directed to:
Tim Secombe
AFL Barwon Club Development Lead
0417 665 173
