Designed to elevate your coaching skills and knowledge. Whether you're an experienced coach or just starting out, this forum is the perfect chance to hear from some of the best in the industry. 

You will hear from AFL level coaches and industry experts like Chirs Fagan, Mon Conti and Daisy Pearce, and hear insights about Coaching Women and Girls, Skill Acquisition, Culture and Leadership as well as Game Plan and strategy among many other great opportunities for coaches. 

This FREE event only runs once a year – secure your spot now.

2026 dates: Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March

The Forum will be conducted over two days, with participants given the chance to enrol in the sessions that interest them, to tailor the weekend to their personal coaching level and interests (though all sessions are open to coaches of every experience level).

You don’t have to attend the whole weekend, join us for the sessions that fit your schedule.

• All coaches must be registered in CoachAFL for the 2026 season
• Mandatory online modules must be completed before coaching begins (minimum accreditation requirements will be shown upon login). 

AFL Barwon is pleased to release an updated version of the 2026 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League fixture, following recent developments regarding Lara FNC’s position for the upcoming season. 

Since being formally advised, the AFL Barwon Operations Team and Commission have been in constant dialogue and collaboration with GFNL clubs to carefully assess the implications for the competition structure. The priority throughout this process has been to maintain the integrity, equity and competitive balance of the 2026 season.

Following extensive consultation with clubs, and reflecting the preferred option of the majority, it has been confirmed that the 2026 GFNL season will feature a 20-round home-and-away fixture. This structure ensures all senior football and netball grades play an even number of matches across the season.

Senior & Reserves Football, A Grade Netball and E Grade Netball will each play 18 matches, with two fixtured byes incorporated into the season. Adjustments have been made to ensure equity in home games and a balanced distribution of matches across the B, C and D Grade netball competitions.

There are four versions of the 2026 fixture being released:

• Senior & Reserves Football
• A Grade Netball
• B, C & D Grade Netball
• E Grade Netball.

The Junior Netball fixture will be finalised following confirmation of team entries. Should not all clubs field teams in each competition, further consultation will occur with impacted clubs to ensure an equitable and balanced structure is implemented.

The season start date has been brought forward by one week, with Round 1 now commencing on Saturday, 11 April. St Joseph’s and Leopold will still start their season on Saturday, 4 April. Finals dates and the previously communicated final’s structure remain unchanged.

Kate Patterson, AFL Barwon CEO, said: " It has been incredibly heartening to see the community rally around Lara, while also addressing the immediate need to deliver a revised fixture for the upcoming Blood Toyota GFNL season.

We greatly appreciate the understanding and cooperation shown by all clubs throughout this process. I’m proud of the way our team — particularly Sophie Allison (Head of Netball) and Sarah Naylor (Head of Football) — worked through multiple options with the league and clubs to reach the best possible outcome.

With the fixture now confirmed, we can now look ahead to the 2026 season with confidence."

GFNL President Todd Devine added: "First and foremost, we want to acknowledge the challenges facing Lara. We remain committed to supporting the club and look forward to seeing their netball and junior programs thrive this season.

I also want to recognise the collaborative approach taken by the GFNL clubs throughout this process. Everyone appreciated that, given the circumstances, there was no perfect solution, yet all clubs acted with goodwill and in the best interests of the competition. The spirit of cooperation has been truly commendable.

This process has further reinforced the strength of our relationship with AFL Barwon. I would particularly like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of the operations staff, who acted decisively and with the best interests of everyone in mind"

AFL Barwon looks forward to delivering a strong, balanced, and competitive 2026 season across the GFNL.

The full version of the fixture can be found below or click here for the pdf version.

AFL Barwon advises that the following documents are now available in preparation for the upcoming AFL Barwon Annual General Meeting (AGM):

• 2025 AFL Barwon AGM Agenda

• Minutes from the 2024 AFL Barwon AGM

• Existing AFL Barwon Constitution

• Proposed AFL Barwon Constitution Amendments

• Proposed AFL Barwon Constitution – Marked-Up Version

• AFL Barwon Commission Nomination Bios for Nick Lang and David Chaston

Stakeholders are encouraged to review the above documents ahead of the meeting.

AFL Barwon AGM Details

• Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026

• Time: 6:00pm (adjusted time)

• Venue: Buckleys Entertainment Centre 

AFL Barwon looks forward to the attendance and involvement of its members and stakeholders at the 2026 Annual General Meeting.