AFL Barwon is pleased to announce the appointment of GameFace as the organisation’s new official filming and broadcast provider following the completion of a detailed and competitive tender process.

GameFace has signed a three-year partnership agreement that will continue to see all senior male football matches across the Geelong and Bellarine Football & Netball Leagues filmed, delivering consistent, high-quality coverage across the competition. The partnership will also provide clubs with the opportunity to access additional filming services for other grades.

The appointment follows a thorough evaluation process, with several high-quality submissions received. While the standard of proposals was strong, GameFace’s comprehensive offering, high-quality delivery reputation, innovation and clear understanding of community sport broadcasting ultimately superseded the other submissions.

Through the partnership, AFL Barwon members will benefit from an enhanced and progressive digital experience via the LocalFootyHub app, providing improved access to match vision, highlights, statistics and club content.

AFL Barwon Chief Executive Officer Kate Patterson said the partnership represents a significant step forward for the region’s competitions.

“We’re thrilled to welcome GameFace as AFL Barwon’s official broadcast partner. This partnership represents a significant step forward in how we showcase our Geelong and Bellarine Football & Netball Leagues.

Glenn and his team bring deep experience in local community sports broadcasting, and we’re looking forward to working closely with them to elevate the profile of our league, our clubs and our athletes. Together, we’re setting up a platform that will continue to grow well beyond 2026.”

GameFace Managing Director Glenn Carter said

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with one of the premier leagues in Victoria. Barwon has a strong reputation, and we’re genuinely excited to be part of the season ahead and help showcase the competition the way it deserves.”

The three-year agreement provides stability and certainty for clubs while ensuring the competition continues to evolve in how it connects with players, members, supporters and the broader community.

AFL Barwon looks forward to working closely with GameFace to deliver a high-quality broadcast product that reflects the strength and professionalism of football in the region.

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. 

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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).

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• All coaches must be registered in CoachAFL for the 2026 season
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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.