Skip to main content

Netball Participation Continues to Grow Across the Barwon Region

Netball across the Barwon region is experiencing a period of sustained and organic growth, reflecting the sport’s strong connection to community, accessibility for participants of all ages, and the ongoing population growth occurring throughout the region.

Across the 2024/25 Summer Netball season, 2,980 participants took to the court under the AFL Barwon banner, a 16% increase on the 2,563 participants recorded in 2023/24. Participation has continued to grow in 2025/26, with 3,224 participants now involved in summer netball competitions across the region, representing a further 8% increase on the previous season.

The AFL Barwon summer competition is a junior-based program open to all clubs across the Barwon region, catering to 11&under, 13&under, 15&under, and 17&under age groups. The growth in participation has also been reflected at team level. In 2024/25, 311 teams were fielded across AFL Barwon summer competitions, up 14% from 274 teams in 2023/24. That figure has grown again in 2025/26 to 338 teams, an 8.7% increase, placing increased demand on competition structures, scheduling, and facilities. This rise highlights families returning each season, new participants discovering the sport, and clubs working hard to meet growing demand.

While this growth is a positive outcome for the sport and broader community, it has also presented new challenges. AFL Barwon’s ability to expand its offerings has been limited by the region’s current facilities. Without sufficient courts, AFL Barwon’s capacity to support competitions beyond junior levels such as mixed, male, senior, and master’s competitions, is restricted. New facilities would allow for greater diversity in participation opportunities and help meet the evolving needs of the community. 

To accommodate the increased number of teams each week, AFL Barwon has been required to expand competitions across seven club venues throughout the region. This approach has allowed competitions to continue to operate; however, it has also highlighted the limitations of the current facility network.

Unlike some other sports, the region does not currently have full access to a centralised, purpose-built regional netball facility capable of hosting large-scale competitions. As a result, AFL Barwon has been required to carefully manage available court space and scheduling.

In practical terms, this has meant the introduction of 10 byes into the weekly fixture, ensuring competitions remain manageable and venues are not over-utilised. While necessary, this outcome means that some teams and participants are unable to play every week, something AFL Barwon recognises impacts the overall participant experience.

AFL Barwon Head of Netball Sophie Allison said “Participation continues to grow strongly, with over 3,200 players across 338 teams this season. It’s such an exciting prospect to see so many players and their families looking to participate each year and each season. We are so excited to continue to support this growth and expand on the opportunities we are able to provide for our netball community.”

The increase in netball participation has occurred organically, driven by population growth, strong club engagement and the sport’s ability to offer flexible and inclusive competition opportunities. However, this success has also revealed a growing gap between demand and the infrastructure currently available.

As more teams enter competitions each season, the pressure on existing courts continues to grow. Without additional facilities, the ability to further expand competitions or improve scheduling outcomes remains limited.

AFL Barwon continues to actively engage with Netball Victoria and maintain ongoing conversations with local government and councils to advocate for future netball facility development across the region.

These discussions focus on ensuring netball infrastructure is considered as part of broader sport and recreation planning, alongside other growing sports. AFL Barwon is committed to ensuring that netball is not left behind as participation continues to rise and communities expand. While short-term solutions will continue to be explored to support competitions in the immediate future, AFL Barwon remains focused on long-term planning and collaboration to create sustainable outcomes for the sport.

The continued growth of netball across the Barwon region is a positive story, one driven by community connection, participation and opportunity. With the right planning and investment, AFL Barwon aims to ensure that this growth can be supported well into the future for players, clubs and volunteers alike.

Netball

Read more …Netball Participation Continues to Grow Across the Barwon Region

  • Hits: 3678

2026 AFL Barwon Football Transfer List

View the latest approved football transfers across AFL Barwon competitions. The list below outlines confirmed player movements between clubs ahead of the upcoming season as of February 20th.

Please note that only players over the age of 18 are listed.

First Name Last Name Source Club Destination Club Status
Troy Anderson Mallee Eagles Modewarre APPROVED
Kye Annand Ocean Grove South Barwon APPROVED
Max Askew St Albans  Ocean Grove APPROVED
Tyler Barker Newtown & Chilwell Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Brydon Barnett Wandsworth Demons Geelong Amateur APPROVED
Jordan Barrow Portarlington Football Netball Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Dean Bartrop Tullamarine Portarlington Football Netball Club APPROVED
Dylan Bennett Newtown & Chilwell North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Aaron Black Warrnambool Football Netball Club Inc Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Linkon Black Launceston (NTFA) North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) PENDING
Doug Bond Springbank Football Netball Club Inc. Barwon Heads APPROVED
Ryan Bongart Ballan Football Netball Club Ocean Grove APPROVED
Andrew Boseley Anakie Football Club South Barwon APPROVED
Marcus Bumbers St Josephs Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Tom Burgess Lara Queenscliff APPROVED
Mitchell Caddy Melton Football Netball Club Drysdale APPROVED
Tyler Caldone Rupertswood (EDFL) Barwon Heads APPROVED
james callaway Altona Barwon Heads APPROVED
Brady Campi Grovedale Tigers Modewarre APPROVED
Kaleb Charity Merrivale Football Netball Club Geelong West Giants (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Samuel Christensen St Marys Barwon Heads APPROVED
Nicholas Cobbold Bell Park Newtown & Chilwell APPROVED
Darby Coleman South Barwon Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Tyler Collings Gisborne Football Netball Club Inc Drysdale APPROVED
Jace Collins Ocean Grove Barwon Heads APPROVED
Bailey Cooper Coleraine Football Netball Club North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Nicholas Coughlan Bell Park Newtown & Chilwell APPROVED
Nic Creighton University of Queensland AFC North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Harper Curtis Hepburn Football Netball Club North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Warrick De Vercelli South Coast AFL Masters Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club PENDING
Tyran Dillon Palmerston Magpies (NTFL) Grovedale Tigers APPROVED
Harrison Dolley Ocean Grove Newtown & Chilwell APPROVED
Degan Dolny Beechworth Football Club South Barwon APPROVED
Charley Donohue Nirranda Football Netball Club Barwon Heads APPROVED
Sophie Driscoll Grovedale Tigers Modewarre APPROVED
Liam Eaton Albert Park FC Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Archie Eichler Buninyong Football & Netball Club Leopold APPROVED
Adam Enever Tatura Football Netball Club Leopold APPROVED
Adam Enever Tatura Football Netball Club Leopold DECLINED
Dillyn Fedley Irrewarra-Beeac Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Brandon Ferry East Geelong Football & Netball Club Geelong Amateur APPROVED
Dylan Flanigan Irrewarra-Beeac Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Tyler Flanigan East Brighton Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club PENDING
Cameron Fowler Ocean Grove Newtown & Chilwell APPROVED
James Fulton University Blues Anglesea Football Netball Club APPROVED
Brandon Gardiner Thomson Football Club Portarlington Football Netball Club APPROVED
Caiden Gardiner Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs Grovedale Tigers APPROVED
Mitch Gaunt Irrewarra-Beeac Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Angus Gaylard Beaufort Football Netball Club Barwon Heads APPROVED
Will Gibb Torquay Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Alexander Gibbon Ocean Grove Barwon Heads PENDING
Patrick Gilbert Lake Wendouree Football Netball Club Leopold APPROVED
Hugh Goddard University Blues Geelong Amateur APPROVED
Hunter Gottschling Wangaratta Football & Netball Club Inc Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Harry Gravener South Barwon Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Tom Gunther Lara St Albans (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Jamison Hallam Ocean Grove South Barwon APPROVED
Cody Harrison Mt Gravatt AFC (AFL Queensland) North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Jordan Harrison Anglesea Football Netball Club Modewarre APPROVED
Darby Henderson Lara Leopold PENDING
Jed Henderson South Warrnambool Football Netball Club Leopold APPROVED
Michael Herlihy Swan Hill Football Club Portarlington Football Netball Club APPROVED
James Hickey St Josephs  Geelong Amateur APPROVED
Logan Hockley Portarlington Football Netball Club Leopold APPROVED
Alex Houghton East Ringwood (Eastern Football Netball League) Queenscliff APPROVED
Joss Howlett Irrewarra-Beeac Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Scott Hughes Bell Post Hill Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Joshua Hunt Ocean Grove Queenscliff APPROVED
Stian Huseby Barwon Heads Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club PENDING
Finlay Jackman East Geelong Juniors Ocean Grove APPROVED
Luke Jarrad Strathmore (EDFL) Ocean Grove APPROVED
Mitch Jensen Wedderburn Redbacks Barwon Heads APPROVED
Nicholas Jephson Kyabram Football & Netball Club Newtown & Chilwell APPROVED
Shannon Johnston St Josephs (AFL Barwon FNL) Geelong West Giants (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Billy Jones East Point Football Netball Club Queenscliff APPROVED
Sam Kalbfell South Mildura Sporting Club (Football) Queenscliff APPROVED
Jack Kelly Greta Football & Netball Club Grovedale Tigers APPROVED
Jesse Kerkham Tamar Valley JFC (NTJFA) North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) PENDING
Finlay Kirsopp-Cole Winchelsea Football and Netball Club Grovedale Tigers APPROVED
Avery Knight St Josephs  Modewarre APPROVED
Braydon Lamaro Bell Park Geelong West Giants (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Jas Lang Grovedale Tigers Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Cooper Langan Noosa AFC Lara APPROVED
Mak Lavis Corowa Rutherglen Football Club Bell Park APPROVED
Jeremy Learmonth Dunnstown Football Netball Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Ziggy Lee Redan Football Netball Club (Ballarat Football League) Leopold APPROVED
Jack Leonard St Josephs (AFL Barwon FNL) Queenscliff APPROVED
Ethan Liddle Geelong West Giants  Colac APPROVED
Ignacio Lopez Basavilbaso University Blacks Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Daniel Lowther Lara Newtown & Chilwell APPROVED
Clancy Mackay Bell Post Hill Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Adam Magro Elmore Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Brodie Marston South Coast AFL Masters Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Will Martin South Barwon Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
William McCartney East Geelong Football & Netball Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Samuel McDonald Glenthompson Dunkeld Football Club Portarlington Football Netball Club APPROVED
Xavier McGowan Torquay North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Nathan McHugh Grovedale Tigers Portarlington Football Netball Club APPROVED
Taj McMillan North Ballarat Football Netball Club Newtown & Chilwell APPROVED
Cailah McPhail-Jans Lara Grovedale Tigers APPROVED
Safari Mcvilly Cobden Football Netball Club Newtown & Chilwell APPROVED
Dale Menzies Irrewarra-Beeac Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Tom Milentijevic West Brunswick AFC Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Oscar Miller Pyramid Hill Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Tahlanie Miller North Geelong Juniors and Womens Bell Park APPROVED
Jack Minton Albert Park FC Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Josh Mitchell Geelong West Giants (Geelong and District Football League) Grovedale Tigers APPROVED
Callum Mong Skipton Football Netball Club (Central Highlands FL) Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Jordan Motton Swifts Football Club Modewarre APPROVED
Nicolas Nadile Ballarat Football Netball Club Leopold APPROVED
Tyler Norton Wangaratta Football & Netball Club Inc Bell Park APPROVED
Ayden Osborne Bannockburn Football and Netball Club Bell Park APPROVED
Daniel Pantalleresco Yarraville Seddon Eagles Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
James Paterson University Blues Ocean Grove APPROVED
Ryan Perkins Bannockburn Football and Netball Club Bell Park APPROVED
Rory Phillips Ocean Grove South Barwon APPROVED
Joe Pierce Ocean Grove Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Baden Pohlner Shepparton Football Netball Club Ocean Grove APPROVED
Oliver Poon Grovedale Tigers Barwon Heads APPROVED
Brandon Poulter Hadfield Ocean Grove APPROVED
Blake Poyser South Bendigo Football and Netball Club Ocean Grove APPROVED
Harrison Prout Whitehorse Pioneers (Eastern Football Netball League) Barwon Heads APPROVED
Jake Reilly Wickliffe Lake Bolac Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Jess Riches Drysdale South Barwon APPROVED
Marshall Rippon Birchip Watchem Football Club Queenscliff APPROVED
Nicholas Rippon Birchip Watchem Football Club Queenscliff APPROVED
Paul Robert’s potter Roxburgh Park (EDFL) Grovedale Tigers DECLINED
Sam Romeril East Point Football Netball Club Modewarre APPROVED
Hugh Rudolph St Marys (AFL Barwon FNL) Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Thomas Schultz Highett Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club PENDING
Samuel Scott Leopold Portarlington Football Netball Club APPROVED
Harry Shadbolt Nyah Nyah West United Football Club Leopold APPROVED
Dylan Sharp St Josephs (AFL Barwon FNL) Modewarre APPROVED
Hamish Sinnott Camperdown Football Netball Club Inc South Barwon APPROVED
Ethan Skene North Cairns Tigers Leopold APPROVED
Kye Smith St Josephs  Barwon Heads APPROVED
Phil Smith Elmore Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Roarke Smith Balranald Football Club Inc Modewarre APPROVED
Blake Sutterby Geelong Amateur Newtown & Chilwell APPROVED
Seth Talbot Minyip Murtoa Football & Netball Club North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Jesse Tardio North Heidelberg Geelong Amateur APPROVED
Jayson Thompson Modewarre Queenscliff APPROVED
Neve Torney Undera Football Netball Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Bailee Turner Moyston Willaura Football Club Barwon Heads APPROVED
Mitchell Uhlhorn Woorinen Football Club Modewarre APPROVED
Jesse Varcoe Bannockburn Football and Netball Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Daniel Waldron Ararat Eagles Football Club Modewarre APPROVED
Lorne Waldron Northcote Park Ocean Grove APPROVED
Zac Warne Lake Boga Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Edward Weeks St Peters OC Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club PENDING
Jordan West Western Eagles Geelong West Giants (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Harrison Whatnall St Albans  North Shore (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Malachi White North Ballarat Football Netball Club St Josephs (AFL Barwon FNL) APPROVED
Skip Wilfred North Geelong Juniors and Womens Bell Park APPROVED
Jay Williams Black Rock Football Netball Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Levi Williams Wangaratta Football & Netball Club Inc Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Jaydo Wright Lake Wendouree Football Netball Club Queenscliff APPROVED
Ross Young Donald Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club APPROVED
Tom Young Corowa Rutherglen Football Club Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club PENDING

Latest News

Read more …2026 AFL Barwon Football Transfer List

  • Hits: 5381

GameFace Appointed as AFL Barwon’s Official Filming Provider

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.

Latest News

Read more …GameFace Appointed as AFL Barwon’s Official Filming Provider

  • Hits: 4446

AFL Victoria Coaches Forum

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

Register Here

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.

View Schedule

Latest News

AFL Victoria

Read more …AFL Victoria Coaches Forum

  • Hits: 4890

Are you Coaching in 2026?

In the lead up to the 2026 season, we’d like to remind all new and returning coaches of the following key requirements:
  • 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). 
Further information on registering, accessing modules, or updating accreditation can be found HERE.
We encourage you to ensure your CoachAFL profile is active and up to date.

Latest News

AFL Victoria

Read more …Are you Coaching in 2026?

  • Hits: 4636