News

The Real MVP – Marathon Foods Volunteer Program recognises and rewards the unsung heroes who make community football and netball possible.

This initiative honours the volunteers who represent the heart and soul of their clubs — the ones who go above and beyond to keep things running behind the scenes.

Club Nominations

Each club is invited to nominate one standout volunteer who embodies commitment, community spirit, and passion.

Clubs must submit a short video showcasing the volunteer’s impact, dedication, and contributions, as well as any creative elements that help tell their unique story. Each Nomination must be submitted on Instagram or TikTok by tagging AFL Barwon & Marathon Foods.

Social Media Sharing

All video submissions will be featured across Marathon Foods and AFL Barwon’s social media platforms, amplifying the inspiring stories of volunteers and highlighting their role in local sport.

Judging Criteria

A judging panel made up of representatives from Marathon Foods and AFL Barwon will assess each nomination based on:

• Impact on the club and broader community
• Dedication and level of service
• Creativity and originality of the video
• Social media engagement (likes, shares, and comments)

Prizes

1st Place: $10,000 for the club

All other nominees will recieve 6 cartons of Marathon Classic Dim Sims.

Competition closes 5pm July 31st, 2025.

For any further questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

AFL Barwon is proud to announce a new three-year partnership with HITIQ, a leading provider of concussion management technology, naming HITIQ as the Official Concussion Technology Partner of AFL Barwon.

This partnership will see HITIQ’s innovative PROTEQT smart mouthguard showcased across the AFL Barwon region, enhancing player safety and wellbeing for more than 25,000 participants. This important initiative will support our continued focus on player welfare and strengthen concussion education and management across all levels of community sport.

As part of the partnership, AFL Barwon registered players will have exclusive access to the PROTEQT smart mouthguard at a discounted rate, making advanced concussion management technology more accessible to our community.

HITIQ PROTEQT’s advanced smart mouthguard system is designed for grassroots footballers and netballers and monitors head impacts in real-time, flagging players at risk of head injury and potential concussion. At-risk players are then guided through a symptom assessment workflow and, if further care is required, can gain instant access to a telehealth service staffed by emergency physicians and concussion specialists for additional advice.

Should the club or player’s preferred medical professional subsequently determine that the player has suffered a concussion, they will be guided back to play via their club’s medical staff and the AFL’s official community concussion protocols.

Lisa Patterson, AFL Barwon Region General Manager, said:

“We’re excited to partner with HITIQ as we continue to prioritise player safety and wellbeing across our region. This partnership provides access to innovative technology that strengthens our approach to concussion management and education. It reflects our ongoing commitment to embracing innovation and evidence-based practices that support the long-term health of our community.”

Earl Eddings, Executive Chairman of HITIQ, said:

“Our partnership with AFL Barwon, alongside VAFA and Westfield Sports High, creates a powerful network to deliver PROTEQT to thousands of athletes. We’ve established scalable sales and marketing channels, positioning PROTEQT as the leading concussion management solution in community sports. With more partnerships in the pipeline, HITIQ is set for significant growth and shareholder value.”

AFL Barwon is committed to innovation, safety, and the long-term wellbeing of all players in our region. Our partnership with HITIQ and the integration of the PROTEQT smart mouthguard system marks a significant step forward in strengthening concussion management across community football and netball. This partnership represents another step forward in AFL Barwon’s commitment to innovation, safety, and the long-term wellbeing of every player in the region.

Torquay Netball Club is thrilled to announce the appointment of former Australian Diamond Madi Browne as head coach on a three-year contract, ushering in a bold new era for the Tigers’ netball program.

A dual Liz Ellis Diamond winner and current sports broadcaster with Fox Netball and SEN 1116, Browne stepped into the head coaching role in June, taking the reins from long-serving A grade coach Sonia Harris.

Browne’s return to local netball drew attention last November when she was unveiled as Torquay’s inaugural senior netball specialist - a role focused on technical development and mentoring. Her new contract will see her lead the club until 2028.

The appointment reflects a shared vision between coach and club to build a strong pathway for junior talent, foster a high-performance culture, and strengthen the presence and reputation of netball across the region.

Quotes attributable to Madi Browne, Head Coach, Torquay Netball Club:

The Torquay community has been so welcoming, and there’s a great energy around the club. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the players, the coaches, and support staff. There’s a strong culture here, and I’m excited to be part of it.

The BFNL is competitive and full of talent. I’ve been impressed with the skill level, the intensity of the matches, and the commitment across the clubs. It’s clear that the league has a strong foundation and is continuing to grow, which makes it a great environment for player and team development.

Right now, my priority is to build strong connections with the group and create a clear, united playing identity. Moving into 2026, my focus will be on developing consistency, sharpening our game strategies and fostering leadership across the team. We want to create a high-performance environment where players can grow, enjoy their netball and push for long-term success.

Quotes attributable to Michael Gibson, President, Torquay Netball Club:

Madi is a passionate leader, mentor and role model. What stands out most is her commitment to building culture through genuine connection - not just with players, but with their families and the wider community.

This is a historic moment for our club. Madi’s experience and professionalism lift us to a new level and her presence cements Torquay as a genuine destination for netballers across the region.

Together with Madi, and the support of our committee, we’re focused on developing a clear junior-to-senior pathway and embedding a high-performance culture that will benefit our players for years to come.

The club extends its thanks to Sonia Harris for her four years of service and wishes her all the best as she travels Australia with her family.

AFL Barwon is delighted to welcome Brazilian Butterfly as a naming rights partner for the 2025–26 seasons, supporting key female football and netball competitions and awards across the region.

As part of this exciting partnership, Brazilian Butterfly will hold naming rights for:

• The 13 & Under Division 1 GFNL Netball Competition
• The 15 & Under Division 2 GFNL Netball Competition
• The Senior Female Football Coaches Team of the Year Award

As part of this partnership, Brazilian Butterfly will actively support the recognition of female athletes by offering Player of the Week vouchers to football and netball clubs throughout the season. This initiative aims to celebrate exceptional individual performances across all levels of competitions.

To enhance the Grand Final experience for players and supporters, Brazilian Butterfly will also deliver a dedicated "Pamper Zone" activation at the Female Football, Bellarine FNL, and Geelong FNL Grand Finals. These activations will add a fun and refreshing touch to the biggest days of the year. 

“We’re pleased to welcome Brazilian Butterfly as a valued partner of AFL Barwon. Their support reflects a shared commitment to celebrating female participation across football and netball. Partnering with a local business that is genuinely passionate about supporting women and girls in sport is an exciting step forward as we continue to advocate for female participation throughout the Barwon region" said AFL Barwon Region General Manager, Lisa Patterson.

“For many years, we’ve proudly supported our local football, netball, and cricket clubs. Now, we’re super excited to be part of AFL Barwon, supporting all football and netball clubs across the region!” said Lauren Kinsella of Brazilian Butterfly Geelong West.

“Brazilian Butterfly Geelong West is a passionate supporter of girls’ and women’s sports, and we can’t wait for the season ahead. Bring it on!”

AFL Barwon is excited to partner with Brazilian Butterfly in celebrating, empowering, and supporting female athletes across the region. We thank them for their ongoing commitment to community sport and look forward to the positive impact this partnership will bring over the next two seasons.