AFL Barwon is proud to release the 2026 All Abilities Football Netball League fixture, headlined by the football competition splitting into two divisions and new club entering the netball competition.

Commencing in 2023, the All Abilities FNL continues to grow, creating opportunities for all-inclusive sport in the Geelong region.

2026 sees an important step forward for the All Abilities competition with a contact division and a non-contact division for the first time in the competition’s history. The contact division will maintain the dynamic, competitive nature and rules of the current competition. The non-contact division is designed to support non-tackle participants and provides an accessible entry point for players seeking a modified football experience.

Round 1 of the football season will kick off on Saturday, April 11 with the highly popular All Abilities Football Showcase taking place at GMHBA Stadium.

The contact competition sees premiers Geelong West come up against finalists St Joseph’s while runners up Bell Park face off with finalists Newcomb.

The non-contact competition welcomes a new entrant into the All Abilities competition as Newtown & Chilwell make their debut against St Joseph’s.

There is sure to be plenty of excitement in rounds 6 and 8 with the league hosting a “Gather Round” type event at Newcomb and Geelong West respectively.

Finals fever will be in full swing on August 15 as the season comes to an exciting conclusion.

The Tuesday night netball competition kicks off on April 21 as reigning premiers Geelong West looks to make a winning start to their premiership defence against St Joseph’s. Grand finalists Newcomb begin their season with a clash against Surf Coast. We are excited to welcome Bell Park intio the netball competition for the first time.

Finals will commence on August 11 for the netball competition before the premiers are decided on August 18^th in the Grand Final.

The All Abilities competition is made possible with the proud support of the naming rights partner, Kardinia Park Stadium Trust.

The 2026 season of the All Abilities competition is set to be the league’s most expansive season to date, reinforcing AFL Barwon’s commitment to inclusive community football and netball.  

The full fixtures can be found below or the pdf here.

AFL Barwon is pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Epworth Senior Female Football Fixture, showcasing continued growth, new club entries and exciting changes across both divisions.

The 2026 season marks another significant step forward for female football in the region, with new teams entering the competition and several clubs transitioning between divisions following the 2025 season.

In Division 1, last year’s Division 2 Grand Finalists, South Barwon and Geelong West Giants, have earned promotion and will take their place among the competition’s top sides in 2026. Their elevation adds further depth and competitiveness to the division, with both clubs looking to carry strong form into the new season.

They will be joined by new entrant Portarlington, whose inclusion further strengthens the Division 1 competition and reflects the continued expansion of the female game across the Bellarine.

Established clubs including Barwon Heads, Geelong Ammos, St Joseph’s, St Mary’s and Grovedale will again feature prominently, setting up a highly competitive 16-round home and away season.

Division 2 also sees important changes in 2026, headlined by the introduction of Bell Park, adding further depth and opportunity within the competition. 

The 2026 fixture gets underway on Friday 17 April (Division 2) and Saturday 18 April (Division 1), with an exciting opening round set to launch the season. Key early match-ups include Barwon Heads hosting Portarlington, while Geelong Ammos take on St Joseph’s.

The season will also feature highly anticipated rematches involving 2025 grand finalists across both divisions, providing early benchmarks for clubs with premiership aspirations and adding to the growing rivalries within the competition.

A mix of Friday night and weekend timeslots has again been incorporated to maximise exposure and provide greater opportunities for the women’s game to take centre stage across the region.

The 2026 Epworth Senior Female Football season promises to be one of the most exciting to date.

The full fixtures can be found below.

2026 Epworth Senior Female Div 1 Fixture

2026 Epworth Senior Female Div 2 Fixture

AFL Barwon is pleased to invite expressions of interest and nominations for appointments to the newly established Barwon Regional Council. 

The Regional Council has been formed as part of an evolving governance model for community football and will play a key role in providing strategic guidance and recommendations to AFL Victoria. This includes matters relating to the administration, growth, and long-term sustainability of Australian Football across the Barwon region.

About the Role 

The Barwon Regional Council will support and help shape strategic priorities across the region, including:

• Participation growth
• Club sustainability
• Governance standards
• Alignment with AFL Victoria policies and frameworks

Who Should Apply

We are seeking individuals who are passionate about the future of community football and can bring a diverse range of skills, experience, and perspectives. 

We strongly encourage nominations from individuals with expertise in areas such as: 

• Governance and strategic leadership
• Legal and risk management
• Infrastructure and facilities
• Stakeholder engagement
• Marketing and communications
• Sports administration
• Appointment Process

Appointments will be made by AFL Victoria, with consideration given to achieving a balanced mix of skills, experience, and perspectives across the Council.

How to Apply

If you are interested in nominating, or would like to nominate a suitable candidate, please submit an expression of interest form via the template below.

Submissions should be sent to:

Lisa Patterson

Region Manager Barwon 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Closing Date: 5:00pm, 17 April 

We also encourage you to share this opportunity with individuals you believe would make a valuable contribution.  

Further Information 

For more information about the role or responsibilities of the Barwon Regional Council, please contact Lisa Patterson directly.

Please find below links to:

Region Council - Position Description

Region Council - Nomination Process

Region Council - Nomination Process - EoI Form

Region Council - Terms of Reference

AFL Barwon encourages all interested stakeholders to consider this opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and success of football within the Barwon region.

AFL Barwon’s All Abilities football showcase is back at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday 11 April from 2.30pm.

AFL Barwon and Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST) are delighted to be partnering on the 2026 event which will see four games across the afternoon. Entry is free and the teams playing on the day are Geelong West Giants, Newtown & Chilwell, Newcomb, St Joseph's and Bell Park.

AFL Barwon’s All-Abilities Football Netball League provides equal opportunities for individuals with varying abilities to take part in the game in a fun, safe, and inclusive environment. This competition is designed to ensure that everyone can enjoy playing, develop their skills, and be part of a supportive team.

More than just sport, All-Abilities competitions help build confidence, friendships, and a strong sense of belonging, creating a space where every participant feels valued.

Sean Atkinson, Commercial Partnerships & Communication Manager said “being able to play round 1 of the All-Abilities competition at GMHBA Stadium is a really special moment for everyone involved. We’re incredibly grateful to the naming rights partner Kardinia Park Stadium Trust for their support in making this possible. It provides an outstanding opportunity for our participants to experience the game on a premier stage, and it’s something the players consistently describe as a highlight of their season”

KPST is a Major Partner of the All-Abilities Football Netball League since 2024. Gerard Griffin, Chief Executive Officer KPST said “we’re excited to be welcoming the participants in the All-Abilities games onto GMHBA Stadium once again in 2026. Providing opportunities for our community to be out on the field is a key commitment of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan, and partnering with AFL Barwon on this initiative is a highlight on our calendar.” 

Gates open on Saturday 11 April at 2.30pm.

• 3:00pm - Matches 1 and 2 (non-contact) - simultaneously on the GMHBA Stadium field.
• 3:45pm - Match 3 (contact)
• 4:45pm - Match 4 (contact)

About Kardinia Park Stadium Trust 

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST) manages Victorian Government land in Geelong, which includes GMHBA Stadium, Geelong Sports Museum, Geelong Cricket Club rooms, Sports House and Barwon Regional Cricket Centre. 

KPST exists to inspire moments of connection and joy through sport, entertainment and community activities, with an overarching objective of contributing to the economic, community, and liveability benefits to Geelong and the broader region.

In 2024/25, GMHBA Stadium generated more than $190 million in social and economic value, 1,200 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs for the Victorian economy and hosted more than 480,000 visitors across 44 on-field events. The stadium was utilised 286 days of the financial year and the playing surface is considered the most utilised in Australia as it home to training sessions for the Geelong Football Club programs. The list of world class events at the stadium saw 190,000 visitors from outside the local region travel to Geelong to experience the elite venue. Within our community program, more than 21,000 local participants took part in five dedicated community events at the stadium.