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Lead your way program returns for 2026

AFL Victoria is pleased to announce the chosen applicants for the annual Lead Your Way leadership program for women and gender diverse leaders in community football clubs.

For the 2026 program, a diverse pool of 60 community football club leaders have been selected, with representation from every AFL Victoria country region and metropolitan league, including 18 junior clubs, 40 senior clubs and two umpiring groups.

One in six of the selected leaders come from a culturally diverse background, with a nearly even split in representation from both metropolitan and regional areas.

Among the chosen leaders are 16 club presidents/vice presidents, with all other participants spread across a range of club roles including secretaries, women’s and girls’ football managers, and several inclusion managers.

Now in its third year, the Lead Your Way program offers education and development opportunities for women and gender-diverse leaders at club committee, board, or executive level. The program seeks to increase the retention of women in leadership positions by enhancing participants skills, confidence, and knowledge, while opening doors for those leaders to continue to progress in their leadership positions.

Those selected will also join the growing network of Lead Your Way (LYW) alumni, connecting with more than 100 past participants who will continue to access education, support and development this year.

Participants also benefit the broader community football landscape, by bringing back valuable resources to improve the experiences of players, coaches, and volunteers at the 58 clubs and two umpire groups represented.

On March 21st, the 2026 cohort will meet for the first time for the LYW26 launch and event at the W Club, before embarking on their year of education and events. The highlight of the year is set to be the LYW Development Conference held mid-year, where the leaders will take part in a full day of education and development.

Congratulations to all those participating in the program in 2026. AFL Victoria looks forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on each individual, their clubs, and the broader football landscape in Victoria.

Prospective applicants for the 2027 Lead Your Way Program can find out more HERE, with applications for next year opening in the later months of 2026.

2026 Lead Your Way program participants

League/ Region Name Club Position
AFL Goldfields Simone Smith Skipton Football Netball Club Secretary
AFL Goldfields Julie Maher Lake Wendouree Football Netball Club  Co-President
AFL Goulburn Murray Emma McColl Congupna Football Netball Club Secretary & Grants Coordinator
AFL Goulburn Murray Sharon O’Dwyer Goulburn Valley Football League Board member
AFL Goulburn Murray Shonelle Ritchie Rumbalara Football Netball Club/ Murray League Secretary of Board
AFL Goulburn Murray Janelle Atkinson  Rumbalara Football Netball Club Treasurer / Partnerships & Junior programs
AFL North East Border Melanie Hart Benalla & District Junior Football Head of off field operations 
AFL North East Border Isabella Humphreys Beechworth Bushrangers Senior Football Team Manager and Social Media and Communications Officer
AFL North East Border Melissa Whitehead Cudgewa FNC/UMFNL Committee member / Operations Manager 
AFL South East Casey hughes Clyde football netball club  Secretary 
AFL South East Danielle Raisher Rye Junior Football Club Currently football operations 
AFL Barwon Carly Enticott LORNE Football Netball Club President
AFL Barwon Chantelle Dalton Cobras Football Club Female Football Director
AFL Barwon Ebony Storrar  St.Albans Football and Netball Club (Geelong) Auskick Co-Ordinator/ Female Football representative on the Health and Wellbeing committee
AFL Barwon Abbey Watt Northshore Football & Netball Club Club Secretary
AFL Barwon Emily Jose Geelong Football Umpires' League Social Director
AFL Central Victoria Klee Shields Heathcote Football Netball Club Secretary/ Team Manager
EDFL Megan Williamson Taylors Lakes Football Club Female Football Co-Ordinator
EDFL Yvonne Dodorico Hadfield FC EDFL Vice President & Junior Coordinator 
EFNL Amy Watson Berwick Football Club  General Committee member 
EFNL Breanna Maginn Rowville Hawks Auskick Coordinator 
EFNL Sarah Fulton Blackburn Junior Football Club Girls Co-ordinator
AFL Gippsland Terese Bailey Sale Umpires Association Executive Member - Secretary
AFL Gippsland Kathryn Hackett  Bunyip football club  President 
AFL Gippsland Christine Harbour Boisdale Briagolong Football Netball Club  V.P  Female Football Coordinator 
AFL Gippsland Karen Lawlor Nar Nar Goon FC and Nar Nar Goon JFC JFC Secretary/ FC Womens Co Ordinator & Canteen Manager
AFL Gippsland Ella Angarane OAM Dalyston Football Netball club / Bass Coast Breakers Womens Football team Committee member/ President of their Womens team 
AFL Gippsland Hollie Balcombe Police Boys Junior Football Club President
NFNL Joanne Worsfield Hurstbridge Football Netball Club Senior Secretary
NFNL Fiona Taylor BUNDOORA FNC President
NFNL Jacqueline Bowshall-Tanner Kilmore Junior Football Club President
NFNL Rebecca Brown Montmorency Junior Football Netball Club Executive Committee Member / Child Safety Officer
Outer East Hayley Lourey Olinda Ferny Creek Junior Football Club President 
Outer East Kylie Cairns Alexandra Football Netball Club President 
Outer East Jess Weisgerber Belgrave Football Netball Club (Outer East Football Netball League) Secretary & Social Media Coordinator & Apparel/Merchandise Coordinator 
RDFNL Em Condron Both Lancefield Senior and Lancefield Junior Clubs Women’s Football Co-ordinator/ Juniors Vice President 
RDFNL Hannah Dwyer Woodend Hesket Football Netball Club General Manager
RDFNL Melissa Grant Lancefield Junior Football Netball Club Head trainer and general committee
RDFNL Kelly Butler  Riddells Creek Junior Football Netball Club  Junior and youth  girls football manager/ Head trainer footy and netball
RDFNL Pam Hill Melton South Football Netball Club Committee member
SFNL Meaghan Bevis  Lyndhurst Football and Netball Club  Club registrar/ Junior Operations manager
SMJFL Abigail Airey St Pauls Mckinnon JFC coach 
SMJFL Katrina Gray St Paul's McKinnon Junior Football Club Girls program co-ordinator
AFL Sunraysia Rebecca Evans Mildura Football Netball Club Social Media Manager
AFL Western District Caitlyn Fitzgerald Camperdown Football Netball Club/ Hampden FNL Co- president 
AFL Western District Vicki Clayton Westerns Football Netball Club President 
WFNL Ilona Elmore Spotswood Football Netball Club  Junior Administrator 
WFNL Melissa Davis Point Cook Centrals Sporting Club Committee Member, Social Events Organiser
WFNL Cecilia Tankey West Footscray Roosters Girls Football Lead
WFNL Jacinta Ganino Parkside Football Club Administrator/Secretary
WFNL Erin West Yarraville Seddon Eagles YSE Committee Member 
WFNL Nikola McHamilton  Suns Football, Netball Club  Grants & Funding Manager 
AFL Wimmera Mallee Julianne Phelan Warrack Eagles Football & Netball Club - Wimmera Football & Netball League Secretary & Treasurer
AFL Wimmera Mallee Carley Gunn HORSHAM FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB  Secretary 
YJFL Nicola Sims Fitzroy Junior FC / YJFL Female Development Lead
YJFL Rebecca Bennett Kew Rovers Football Club Girls Co-ordinator/ Women & Girls Advisory Group, YJFL
YJFL Georgia Oswald Yarra Junior Football Leage (YJFL) VIC & Kew Comets Women & Girls Working Group member/ Girls Coordinator
VAFA Sienna Whiteman Old Ivanhoe Grammarians Football Club (VAFA) Vice President
VAFA Lydia Holt West Brunsiwck Amateur Football Association Club President 
VAFA Samantha Rodgers Monash Blues Football Club / VAFA Secretary

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Are you ready to start your football journey?

Female football continues to go from strength to strength across the Barwon region, with participation numbers rising and more opportunities than ever for women and girls to get involved in the game.

From junior pathways through to senior competition, local clubs are building strong, inclusive programs that cater for all skill levels, whether you’re new to football or looking to take the next step in your development.

As we head into the upcoming season, several clubs across the region are actively recruiting players to join their female football programs. With welcoming environments, experienced coaches and strong community connections, now is the perfect time to pull on the boots and be part of the continued growth of female football in Barwon.

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PlayHQ Education Session – Hosted by Danielle Cornwall

AFL Barwon Netball and Football administrators are invited to join Danielle Cornwall from PlayHQ for an introductory-level education session on Wednesday, 4 March at 6:15 pm.

This session will cover the fundamentals of using the PlayHQ platform, including registration management, competition administration and reporting tools. Danielle will also highlight the latest features and updates to help administrators get the most out of the system.

Whether you’re completely new to PlayHQ or looking for a refresher, this session is a great opportunity to learn directly from the experts and ask questions.

Please register your attendance to secure your spot below.

Register Here

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AFL Barwon Awards Life Membership to Three Long-Serving Commissioners

AFL Barwon has awarded Life Membership upon Richard Underwood, Robert Hallett and Ian McTaggart in recognition of their outstanding and sustained service to the Barwon region.

The honour was presented at a last night's AFL Barwon AGM, celebrating the trio’s combined contribution and leadership across nine years each on the AFL Barwon Commission. Their tenure spanned a significant period of growth and evolution for the organisation, during which they helped guide strategic direction, strengthen governance, and support clubs across the region.

Across nearly a decade of service, Underwood, Hallett and McTaggart played an instrumental role in shaping AFL Barwon’s future. Their time on the Commission coincided with participation growth, expansion of female football and netball pathways, enhanced commercial partnerships, and continued investment in club development and community engagement initiatives.

The trio joins Craig Keating as the only other recipient of AFL Barwon Life Membership.

Life Membership recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership and commitment to the growth and development of football and netball within the Barwon community. It reflects not only longevity of service, but meaningful and lasting impact.

AFL Barwon congratulates Richard, Robert and Ian on this richly deserved recognition and thanks them for their years of dedication to the region’s sporting community.

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New Directors Appointed at AFL Barwon AGM

AFL Barwon is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick Lang, Todd Devine and Michael Fitzgerald to the AFL Barwon Board, endorsed by members at last night’s Annual General Meeting.

Two of the Director vacancies were filled by nominees from the Bellarine Football Netball League and Geelong Football Netball League Boards, with Todd Devine and Michael Fitzgerald appointed through that process. Nick Lang was also voted in by member clubs to join the Board.

The three new Directors bring a wealth of experience across community sport, governance and business, and will play an important role in guiding the continued growth and strategic direction of football and netball across the Barwon region.

AFL Barwon also acknowledges and thanks David Chaston for his nomination for the Board and his willingness to contribute to the organisation at governance level.

The AGM further marked the conclusion of the Board tenures of Michelle Gerdtz, Sarah Naylor and Nicola Wojcik. AFL Barwon sincerely thanks Michelle, Sarah and Nicola for their commitment, professionalism and contribution during their time as Directors. Their input has helped shape key initiatives and governance outcomes that position the organisation strongly for the future.

Members also approved a series of amendments to the AFL Barwon Constitution at the AGM, reflecting the organisation’s ongoing commitment to strong governance and contemporary best practice.

The 2025 AFL Barwon Annual Report can be found here.

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