AFL Barwon Female
Festival of Sport

2025 Events

• FEMALE CLUB CHAMPIONS

  This is a chance to recognise and reward the hard work and dedication of one exceptional female in your club who has made an outstanding contribution.

  Use the template link here to share on your club social media page and tag @aflbarwon

• AUSKICK, NET SET GO & U9, U10 & 11&U FEMALE PLAYER VIDEOS

  We want to hear from the female players at your club’s on some of the things they love about playing football and netball. A selection of these videos will be played at the Female Festival of Sport Breakfast on Friday July 4th.

  Click here to see the questions and filming tips.

Introducing the 2025 Breakfast Host

Madi Browne

Former Professional Netball Player

Former elite netballer turned sports broadcaster, presenter, coach, educator - and proud mum - Madi brings high-performance energy and a solution-focused mindset to everything she does.

Whether courtside, in studio, or behind the mic, she thrives on connecting with driven people and sharing stories that spark momentum.

Based on the Surf Coast, Madi is fuelled by purpose, grounded by family, and committed to creating meaningful outcomes through strong partnerships.

Introducing the 2025 Guest Speakers

• 

  Jaz Shelley

  Geelong United Professional Basketball Player

  Jaz Shelley is a professional Australian basketball player currently competing for Geelong United in both the WNBL and NBL1 South.

  A former WNBL Rookie of the Year with the Melbourne Boomers, Shelley played college basketball in the U.S. at Oregon and Nebraska, where she became one of the top three-point shooters and playmakers in Cornhuskers history.

  In 2024, she was selected 29th overall in the WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury before returning to Australia as Geelong United’s inaugural WNBL signing.

• 

  Debbie Lee

  AFLW PIONEER

  Debbie Lee is the National Women’s and Girls Football Lead at the AFL and a pioneering figure in women’s Australian rules football.

  A former player and coach, she gave up a WNBL career to found the St Albans Spurs in 1992. Lee is a five-time Helen Lambert Medalist, six-time All-Australian, and former president of the Victorian Women's Football League.

  She played a key role in launching the AFLW through her leadership roles at Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs. In 2021, she became the first woman inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

• 

  Taylah Hassett

  Geelong Cats VFLW Head Coach

  Taylah Hassett is the current Geelong Cats VFLW Head Coach, taking on the role in season 2025 after coaching Grovedale to Division 1 Premiership success in 2024.

  Having played football since the age of 15 years old, Taylah progressed from her community club in Colac, through to the Geelong Falcons Program, before joining Grovedale in 2022. A community minded individual, Taylah understands the importance of giving back and supporting community.

• 

  Meagan Mifsud

  Former President at Torquay FNC

  A life member at Torquay FNC, Meagan Mifsud has dedicated a lifetime behind the scenes towards the success and sustainability of the Torquay Netball Program. Meagan has fulfilled such roles as Club President, Treasurer, Coach, Team Manager - and just about any other role you can think of! During her time as an administrator, Meagan has been the beneficiary of league awards, including Administrator of the Year, and was also at the helm of Torquay Netball when the club won the overall ‘Club Championship’ award due to their success on the court and field. Meagan’s passion for community is something to be admired, and we look forward to hearing her story.

Indigenous Round

11-17 May 2026

Indigenous Round Club Toolkit

Vilification and Discrimination Module

Vilification and Discrimination Module

Vilification and Discrimination Module

Indigenous Club Uniforms

• 

  Anglesea Female Football

  Artist - Donna Conley @Sallouart Wadawurrung Country

  The artwork represents the Anglesea Football Club. It is painted with gratitude and love in celebration of Indigenous round 2023. The artwork acknowledges the traditional custodians, Gadubanud of the Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung people. 

  The concentric circles represent community meeting places and connection to each other. The surrounding U shapes symbolize coming together to sit, yarn and share in learning from each other. Together we are strong and feel safe. The Club was club was established in 1963 and is known as the Kangaroos. 

  The Artwork has an original depiction of a Kangaroo at its Centre to honor the Clubs history and icon. Land, sea and sky are depicted to represent Country.

• 

  Anglesea Netball

  Artist – Maddy Allardyce & Corrina Eccles (Wadawurrung Country)

  The Gathering circles in our first wave represent the Wadawurrung people. The Wadawurrung people lived and gathered in Anglesea including along the sea and the saltwater river which was known as Kuarka Dorta- the place to catch mullet.

• 

  Barwon Heads Football

  Artist - Rhys Jeffs - Yeerra Ngitj Wadawurrung

  This artwork tells the story of the Barwon River, flowing through the stunning landscape of Wadawurrung Country. The river-where fresh water meets the sea-holds great strength, beauty and significance for the Barwon Heads community. For thousands of years the Barwon River has been a vital source of food, connection, healing and cultural significance. It continues to nourish the land and its people, offering both physical and emotional wellbeing. During conversations about this design, the BHFNC community continually reflected on the river's deep connection and local importance. The artwork represents the river's journey, its many meeting places, and our shared responsibility to care for it, now and for many years to come.

• 

  Belmont Lions Female Football

• 

  Drysdale Football

  The hawk represents the clubs logo. The boomerangs shows the strength of the club from the junior levels through to the senior playing groups. The cycles and lines are for everyone involved at the club and connection they have with one another, creating a safety net for each other.

• 

  Geelong Amateur Female Football

  Artist - Hayley Bohme (Yorta Yorta)

  The figure in the middle of the jumper with ochre markings represents warriors. The U shape that starts at the cheek and goes across the nose onto the other cheek represents warrior, and the five dots on the forehead represents the Kulin Nations, the middle being Wadawarrung Country.

  Under the warrior is a meeting place, sitting at the heart of the warrior. This represents Ammo's club community.

  On one side of the jumper you can see the animal prints (kangaroo and possum), showcasing the now shared history of the sport. Marngrook has been played by our people for over 60,000 years, and the ball was made of possum skin. The kangaroo tracks represent the Kangaroo of the current Sherrin footballs. 

  One the other side you can see a river with waterholes. This represents the Barwon River that surrounds the Ammos home at Queens Park. Queens Park is also located next to Buckley Falls. 

  On the back of the jumper we have an outline of Bunjil, the spiritual creator and protector of Wadawurrung Country, the land we play on. The stars surrounding Bunjil represent people that have come before us and have paved the way for us to play the sport we love. This could be our Elders, our families. This also represents the people who we saw begin the journey of women's footy at Geelong Amateurs. 

• 

  Geelong West Football

  ARTIST – ETHAN LIDDLE – ARRENTE COUNTRY

  The symbols on this design represents the artist’s journey. The front of the design represents travelling from Apmere Atynhe to where they are today, and symbolises them leaving home and moving down to Wadurrung country.

  The 6 countries on the back of the jumper capture where the artist is from and symbolise the family they have there. This includes the Artekerre community in Arrernte Country, the Ltyentye Apurte Community in Eastern Arrernte Country, the Artekerre community in Alyawarr Country, the Arrengaye Apmere community in Alyawarr Country, the Mpartnwe community in Central Arrernte Country, and finally Waduwurrung Country where they live today.

• 

  Geelong West Female Football

  Artist – Ethan Liddle – Arrente Country

  For Geelong West Giants, one of our major trademarks in our club is being united. In the middle of the G are symbols that represent the players who play for Geelong West Giants. These symbols also represent the Geelong West community, the coaches, managers, members and those who volunteer their time to the club. running water for players, canteen duties, physios and the player sponsors all who are a part of the club. In the G we also have the Aherre (Kangaroo) and Arleye (Emu) Impatye (tracks). These track symbols are the tracks to success. They are the tracks that past players left for us to follow that pathway to moving forward. Current players at Geelong west are now paving the way to being successful, and setting good examples for the next generation of players coming through and following our pathway as well. The back of the jumper displays male and female symbols alongside lands significant to Liddle's ancestry and history, specifically his birthplace in Alice Springs (Arrernte Country) and his residence in Geelong (Wadawurrung Country).

• 

  Geelong West Netball

  Artist – Ethan Liddle – Arrente Country

  For Geelong West Giants, one of our major trademarks in our club is being united. In the middle of the G are symbols that represent the players who play for Geelong West Giants. These symbols also represent the Geelong West community, the coaches, managers, members and those who volunteer their time to the club. running water for players, canteen duties, physios and the player sponsors all who are a part of the club. In the G we also have the Aherre (Kangaroo) and Arleye (Emu) Impatye (tracks). These track symbols are the tracks to success. They are the tracks that past players left for us to follow that pathway to moving forward. Current players at Geelong west are now paving the way to being successful, and setting good examples for the next generation of players coming through and following our pathway as well. The back of the jumper displays male and female symbols alongside lands significant to Liddle's ancestry and history, specifically his birthplace in Alice Springs (Arrernte Country) and his residence in Geelong (Wadawurrung Country).

• 

  Newtown & Chilwell Football

  Artist – Jack Brogden – Noongar, Bardi and Karajarri Man

  The Newtown and Chilwell 2022 Indigenous celebration guernsey represents a story of community coming together through sport celebrating our first nation heritage

• 

  Newtown & Chilwell Netball

  Artist – Jack Brogden – Noongar, Bardi and Karajarri Man

  The Newtown and Chilwell 2022 Indigenous celebration guernsey represents a story of community coming together through sport celebrating our first nation heritage

• 

  North Shore Netball

  Artist - Netball Dress l Kailee Kennedy, Wadawurrung

  The artwork tells a story of the turtle’s journey by water to the sands of traditional lands of the first nations people.
• 

  Ocean Grove Football

  Artist - Jye Walker

  Jumper Colours – The top of the jumper begins in a bone white (noting it may only be able to be produced in white), gradually fading into a deep red as it moves downward. This design symbolises the enduring spirit of Aboriginal people who continue to watch over and care for Country. It also represents the profound connection the Wadawurrung people have with the ground and soil—elements that sustained them, nurtured them, and provided everything they needed to thrive.

  The Ocean Grove Logo is imprinted into the design

  With the shield acting as the O in this format.

  The shield itself is designed in the style of a broad shield, commonly used to deflect spears, with handles typically carved into the reverse side. At the heart of the design, the shield symbolises protection—for kin, for community, and for all those connected to the club.

  The shield incorporates several symbolic elements that reflect the Ocean Grove Sports Club’s community, environment, and history:

  1. The blue represents both the sea and the Barwon River, which have held deep significance for the First Peoples of the Ocean Grove region. This dual representation highlights the importance of both saltwater and freshwater to the Wadawurrung people.
  2. The greens signify the rolling hills that have been traversed by ancestors for thousands of years.
  3. The light brown reflects the sandy landscapes of Ocean Grove’s beaches, which stop at the culturally significant Ocean Grove Spit. This area contains ancient midden sites, marking thousands of generations of gathering, connecting, and feasting by the Wadawurrung people.
  4. The swan (grubber) represents the club’s long-standing emblem. While the original logo features a white swan, our region is home to the black swan, a meaningful local reference.
  5. The black line surrounding the beach, topped with two human figures, signifies the ongoing connection between land and sea, as well as the families and individuals who have shaped and continue to shape this community—past and present.
  6. The 23 dots above the black line represent the 22 players and one coach who embody and represent the community each time they step onto the field.
  7. The journey lines marked with 8 “V” shapes represent the club’s journey and the 8 premierships (victories) it has achieved over the years.

  Finally, the boomerangs placed above the shield symbolise the club’s strength. Their position—above, not behind the shield—speaks to a forward-leaning, attacking mindset, reflecting both the club’s competitive spirit and its commitment to leading the way, not only in sporting success but also in community advocacy and unity.

  The four ‘meeting places’, connected by intermittent journey lines, represent the club’s core ethos: Community – Club – Team – Self. These elements reflect a journey through Country and embody the belief that in everything we do, and for everyone involved, we are part of something greater than ourselves—we are connected..

  On the back, 5 handprints are to represent the hope the club can be a culturally safe place for all Aboriginal people within Senior football, Junior Boys and Girls football and also Senior and Junior netball section.  

  The intention behind the jumper design was to spark curiosity and encourage people to ask questions about Aboriginal culture within our own region. It aims to prompt reflection on how we can become a more inclusive organisation for all young Aboriginal people in the area.

  I also wanted to acknowledge the club and their continued advocacy of First Nations Peoples.

• 

  Portarlington Football

  Artist – Chris Delamont

  The story starts with Bunjil the Wedge tailed Eagle and his place as the creator sprit for the local Wudawurrung people. Bunjil is looking over the Portarlington Football Netball club and its work in creating an inclusive, welcoming club. The center circle represents the club and its efforts in creating a meeting place and inviting all to join them, no matter where you are from or the journey you have taken, all will be welcome.

• 

  Portarlington Netball

  Artist – Chris Delamont

  The story starts with Bunjil the Wedge tailed Eagle and his place as the creator sprit for the local Wudawurrung people. Bunjil is looking over the Portarlington Football Netball club and its work in creating an inclusive, welcoming club. The center circle represents the club and its efforts in creating a meeting place and inviting all to join them, no matter where you are from or the journey you have taken, all will be welcome.

• 

  South Barwon Football

  Artist – Billy-Jay O’Toole – Wadawurrung Country

  The design was centered around the clubs traditional colors, incorporating the light blue to share the history of the clubs colors, worn by Barwon football club before transferring to South Barwon. Using the colors, important features were incorporated in the landscape around the football club, with the designs representing Coastal country, Freshwater Country, hill/mountain Country and including eucalyptus leaves as a sign of cleansing and welcoming all onto Wadawurrung Country.

• 

  South Barwon Netball

  Artist – Billy-Jay O’Toole – Wadawurrung Country

  The design was centred around the clubs traditional colours and also incorporating the light blue to share the history of the club's colours, worn by Barwon Football Club before transferring to South Barwon. Using the colours, I incorporated important features in the landscape around where the football club is, and was, located. Those designs are representing Coastal Country, Freshwater Country, Hill/Mountain Country and including eucalyptus leaves as a sign of cleansing and welcoming you all onto Wadawurrung Country.

• 

  St Mary's Female Football

  Artist - Designed by the Knox family in recognition of their son Abe Knox a past St Mary’s player.

  Bunjil the Eagle on the front of the jumper is who Abe identified with (spirit animal) The painting on Bunjil is how Abe painted himself when he did indigenous dance.

  The wings were designed by Abe’s sisters to represent Abe wrapping his arms around his mates as they play. The circle artwork is a copy of something Abe did in Grade 6 and he had written that the circles represented bringing people together. The hand is Abe pushing the boys forward but also a symbol of when the boys hug in a circle before and after a game

• 

  Torquay Female Football

  Artists - Remi Sliwa, Elleischa Sizer & Mia Murphy - All Aboriginal girls born in Australia, who play footy for Torquay

  Front - The large circle in the middle of the jumper is the meeting place, the place where Torquay women’s football teams call home, Spring Creek Recreational Reserve. It is surrounded by the two bodies of water nearby, spring creek and also represents the ocean as Wari Dja in Wadawurrung language means ‘Sea Country’. The symbol in the middle of the meeting place is the Aboriginal symbol for women. The footsteps represent walking together, the junior players following in the footsteps of the senior women’s football players.

  Side - The eucalyptus leaves on the side represent the bushland that lines the creek and surrounds the football oval. The crosshatching design is traditionally a Victorian style of Aboriginal art.

  Back - The smaller circles on the back represent the girls in the Torquay Tigers 9 junior football sides which feed into the women’s team on the front. The circles represent the friendship, teamwork and connection between the young girls. The kangaroo tracks in the middle represent moving forward together, kangaroos can only jump forwards, they can’t go backwards, and they have soft paws which means they tread softly on the earth that sustains them.

Mental Health Round

15 June - 21 June 2026

Mentally Healthy Sporting Clubs Guidelines

Mental Health Round

19 - 21 July 2024

Mental Health is a Team Sport

Learn More About Read The Play

Mental Health is a Team Sport

The Tackle Your Feelings Program

Learn More About Tackle Your Feelings

The Tackle Your Feelings Program