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Country Football and Netball Funding Program Returns

Victorian regional football and netball clubs can rejuvenate their sports facilities with the launch of the next round of the Country Football and Netball Program (CFNP).

In partnership with the Victorian Government and Netball Victoria, the Country Football Netball Program provides funding of up to $250,000 to assist country football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations to improve facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.

Funding is available to deliver projects that include new or redeveloped ovals or netball courts, installation of sports lighting, and construction of new and redevelopment of existing pavilions including change rooms for players and umpires. 

Any clubs wishing to discuss a project should contact their local council who will provide further advice, which may include preparing information ahead of a future round of the program.

Applications are now open and close on March 27, 2023. 

AFL Victoria and/or AFL Regions, in addition to being a funding partner for the program, can provide advice on best practise design, and support applications with letters of support.

Clubs seeking guidance should make contact with their local AFL Region Manager, Local Council, or AFL Victoria’s Manager of Government Partnerships and Facilities Jessie Doull via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss their project ideas.

For more information on the Country Football and Netball Program, including guidelines and application details, please visit https://sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/country-football-and-netball-program.

For the full list of 2021-22 grant recipients, click here.

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Kardinia Park Stadium Trust Become Major Supporter of Inaugural All Abilities FNL

AFL Barwon is very excited to announce that the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust will be the major supporter of the Australian first, AFL Barwon All Abilities Football Netball League in 2023.

The inaugural season of the Football and Netball League will kick off on Saturday April 29th with a double header on GMHBA Stadium in a major coup for the competition.

The opening round matches will kick off at 4pm and 6pm, with an All Abilities Auskick session between the games.

This will provide the opportunity for players who have never played a competitive game of football before, to start their career off at the Barwon Region’s Premier sports precinct.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Gerard Griffin was quoted.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to provide unique opportunities for participation and connection, we are thrilled to be hosting the opening round of the AFL Barwon All-Abilities Football Netball League on GMHBA Stadium. Kardinia Park strives to be truly inclusive, embrace diversity and support our local community.”

AFL Barwon Region General Manager, Edward Wilson, was quoted.

“We’re extremely appreciative of Kardinia Park’s endorsement of the inaugural AFL Barwon All Abilities Football Netball League. This league has immense potential for growth and development in the years ahead and with the support of partners including Kardinia Park, this league will receive the exposure and value it deserves. We’re thankful for Kardinia Park’s enthusiasm and support, and we’re equally grateful in continuing a strong relationship with Kardinia Park into the future”.

Any new players, who are not already assigned to a club and wanting to play in the AFL Barwon All-Abilities League can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

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Netball Victoria Junior Coaching, Mentoring & Umpiring Workshops

Netball Victoria are running the following workshops in the Barwon and Colac regions over the coming months.

 

MENTOR WORKSHOP

Focuses on the mentor/mentee relationship and responsibilities, constructive feedback skills, the do’s and don’ts of mentoring, and expectations of beginner umpires.

Wednesday 8 March

6:00pm-8:00pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

Friday 31 March

6:00pm-8:00pm

Eastern Reserve, Colac

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

INTRODUCTION TO UMPIRING

Learn the basic characteristics of becoming an umpire, using your whistle and hand signals effectively, infringements and sanctions, and positioning on the court.

Sunday 19 March

9am-11am

Surf Coast Suns Netball Courts, Torquay

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

Wednesday 5 April

4:45pm-6:45pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong  

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

Monday 17 April

10am-12pm

Bluewater Leisure, Colac

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

 

JUNIOR COACH TRAINING SESSION

Practical hands-on session for those coaching/supporting NetSetGO, 9&U, 11&U, 13&U. This is a non-accredited session designed to build an understanding of teaching skills and techniques to junior players in a fun and engaging way.

Sessions will run for 1.5 hours, and all participants will receive resources via email after attending the session.

Sunday 19 March

Surf Coast Suns Netball Courts, Torquay

9:30am-11am

Free

Register here: https://forms.gle/e6fE4ETwhBd4Cnxb9

 

Tuesday 28 March

Eastern Reserve, Colac

6pm-7:30pm

Free

Register here: https://forms.gle/e6fE4ETwhBd4Cnxb9

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Vale Max Evans

AFL Barwon is saddened to hear of the passing of Geelong Football Netball League Life Member, Max Evans.

Max's contribution to local football was through his tireless work and dedication to the North Shore Football Netball Club.

He was the founder of the North Shore Little League in 1962 and was known as the "King of the Kids" for his commitment to junior football.

Max was also heavily involved in the Geelong Football Netball League Interleague program in a number of roles.

Max was rewarded for his service with Life Membership of the GFNL in 2001.

The AFL Barwon Chair, Commission, Geelong FNL President & Board, AFL Barwon Staff and all member clubs extend their deepest sympathy to Max's family and the North Shore Football Netball Club community.

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Kempe Junior Representative Netball Teams for 2023

Congratulations to the following players for representing their Leagues as part of AFL Barwon’s Kempe Junior Representative Netball Program!

The girls have been playing in the Barwon Junior Netball Championships and GCNA’s Monday night competition before heading to Association Championships in June.

Bellarine Football Netball League

13 & Under BFNL team:

Scarlotte Benney            (Anglesea)

Scarlett Clarke                 (Geelong Amateur)

Heidi Connor                   (Drysdale)

Macey Dow                     (Geelong Amateur)

Emilia Evans                    (Portarlington)

Arelya Hillier                   (Portarlington)

Gemma Hocking             (Queenscliff)

Sienna McGuiness          (Torquay)

Elise Newey                     (Queenscliff)

Stella Peters                    (Geelong Amateur)

Remy Sliwa                      (Torquay)

Sophie Taylor                  (Geelong Amateur)

Coach: Karen Pole

 

15 & Under BFNL Champs team:

Ella Brown                       (Ocean Grove)

Annalena Hillier              (Portarlington)

Tae McGillivray               (Anglesea)

Adele Mills                      (Ocean Grove)

Bree Sampson                 (Ocean Grove)

Abhi Sanjeev                   (Ocean Grove)

Bailey Shaw                     (Geelong Amateur)

Harriett Shaw                  (Geelong Amateur)

Hayley Toull                    (Modewarre)

Alexandra Whatley         (Geelong Amateur)

Phoebe Zahl                    (Portarlington)

Co-Coaches: Paula Birch and Taryn Laverty

 

15 & Under BFNL Reserves team:

Chloe Aspinall                 (Geelong Amateur)

Ava Carson                      (Torquay)

Abby Chapman               (Queenscliff)

Arabella Clarke               (Geelong Amateur)

Alice Coffey                     (Queenscliff)

Anya Dreyer                    (Geelong Amateur)

Coco Hayes                      (Torquay)

Skye Howard                   (Barwon Heads)

Molly Slavinskis              (Barwon Heads)

Caitlin Totton                  (Geelong Amateur)

Coach: Nicole Sadler

17 & Under BFNL team:

Grace Boland                  (Ocean Grove)

Juliet Evans                     (Portarlington)

Madison Foot                  (Drysdale)

Leni Gilbert                     (Torquay)

Chelsea Gillett                 (Barwon Heads)

Poppy Hart                      (Ocean Grove)

Pippi McIntyre                (Barwon Heads)

Emily Quinten                 (Ocean Grove)

Lucy Sampson                 (Ocean Grove)

Louise Shaw                    (Geelong Amateur)

Sienna Stewart                (Portarlington)

Jade Wilson                     (Drysdale)

Coach: Leah Wilson

 

Geelong Football Netball League

13 & Under GFNL team:

Maya Corrigan                (South Barwon)

Olivia Edwards                (Colac)

Jemma Grenfell              (St Mary's)

Stevie Hepburn               (South Barwon)

Lyola Hill                          (Newtown & Chilwell)

Jemima Hood                  (St Joseph's)

Georgia Marles               (St Marys)

Meg Muhor                     (Newtown & Chilwell)

Addison Russell               (Colac)

Eadie Scheelings             (St Joseph's)

Lily Sherman                   (South Barwon)

Macey Veitch                  (Newtown & Chilwell)

Coach: Kirsten Hood

 

15 & Under GFNL Champs team:

Melissa Allan                   (Geelong West)

Remi Butcher                  (St Mary's)

Eliza Cullen                      (St Mary's)

Isabella Gill                      (Lara)

Georgia Hannagan          (Newtown & Chilwell)

Leni Hepburn                  (South Barwon)

Indi Madden                   (St Joseph's)

Evie McKenzie                 (Geelong West)

Sahirah Smith                  (Geelong West)

Sophie Sprunt                 (St Joseph's)

Coach: Kirsten Stramacchia

 

15 & Under GFNL Reserves team:

Piper Calnon                   (Geelong West)

Niamh Drennan              (Geelong West)

Lexie Edwards                 (Lara)

Zara Kendall                    (Geelong West)

Liana Loney                     (Geelong West)

Alicia McDonald              (St Joseph's)

Billi Mooney                    (Newtown & Chilwell)

Isabella Scukovic             (South Barwon)

Izzy Spence                      (Colac)

Teliah Tkaczuk                (Geelong West)

Co-Coaches: Zarah Barnett and Marney McRandall

 

17 & Under GFNL team:

Jorja Cookson                  (Lara)

Lucy Grapsas                   (St Mary's)

Elly Hannam                    (St Joseph's)

Leni Hassett                    (Lara)

Amali Hill                         (Newtown & Chilwell)

Evie Moran                      (Geelong West)

Alyssia Smith                   (Geelong West)

Jade Tardio                      (Geelong West)

Ruby Wilson                    (St Albans)

Coach: Lisa Van Halen

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