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Umpire Training

UMPIRE

Register now for the 2025 season.

Register As a New Umpire

UMPIRE

Register now for the 2025 season.

Register As a New Umpire

WE ARE ONE GROUP AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

WE ARE ONE GROUP AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

TRAINING

Across Geelong, Bellarine, and Colac, we offer multiple training venues. Check the list below to find the one closest to you!

  • Geelong

    Venue: Kardinia Park (Geelong Cats' Home Ground)
    Commencement Date: Monday, 3rd February 2025
    Training Days: Mondays and Wednesdays (excluding Public Holidays)

    Session Schedule:

    • Development Field Umpires – 4:30 PM
    • Boundary Umpires – 5:00 PM
    • Goal Umpires – 5:30 PM
    • Senior Field Umpires – 5:45 PM

  • Drysdale

    Venue: TBC
    Commencement Date: TBC
    Training Days: TBC

    Session Schedule:

    • Development Field Umpires – TBC
    • Boundary Umpires – TBC
    • Goal Umpires – TBC
    • Senior Field Umpires – TBC

  • Colac

    Venue: TBC
    Commencement Date: TBC
    Training Days: TBC

    Session Schedule:

    • Development Field Umpires – TBC
    • Boundary Umpires – TBC
    • Goal Umpires – TBC
    • Senior Field Umpires – TBC

AFL Barwon are primarily responsible for the strategic planning, development, coaching and training for the continued growth of AFL Football Umpiring in the the Barwon region.

AFL Barwon supply umpires to the Geelong Football Netball League, Bellarine Football Netball League, Geelong & District, Colac & District Football Netball League, as well as all Junior and Female Football competitions.

RESOURCES

At AFL Barwon, we are committed to keeping the participation a top priority, whether that be as a player, coach, umpire, volunteer, or administrator. There are a range of resources to help.

ACCESS RESOURCES

Umpiring

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Club Education Hub

CLUB EDUCATION HUB

Education Videos

Senior Football

Watch the full webinars here (recorded 19th Feb 2025) or view individual resource videos below.

2025 Senior Football Match Day Operations & Competition Rules

2025 Senior Football Player Points & Salary Cap

Resource Videos

Junior Football

Watch the full webinar here (recorded 17th Feb 2025) or view individual resource videos below.

Concussion Resource LInk

Resource Videos

Netball

Watch the full webinar here (recorded 19th Feb 2025).

Resource Videos

Coming soon.

Additional Resources

  • Setting Up Registration Forms (Club)

    Watch Now

  • Allocating Participants To A Team

    Watch Now

  • How to select line-up and enter game results using My Teams

    Watch Now

  • Transfers & Permits (Club)

    Watch Now

Football Umpiring

Resources coming soon

Resource Videos

Coming soon.

Club Development

Watch the full webinar here (recorded 17th Feb 2025).

Resource Videos

Coming soon.

THE BARWON BULLETIN

Important Updates Every Thursday

All major updates from AFL Barwon are now delivered every Thursday via the Barwon Bulletin.

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The Barwon Bulletin - Aug 01

THE BARWON BULLETIN

The official noticeboard for AFL Barwon Club Officials & Volunteers. Updated weekly on Thursday. 

Edition 0
Aug 01, 2024

General Updates

  • Parkinson’s Fundraising Gala Luncheon

    AFL Barwon is supporting the Parkinson’s Fundraising Gala Luncheon in the Captains Room at GMHBA Stadium on Friday 9thAugust 2024 to raise money for Parkinson's Disease research.

    Our esteemed colleague in Sean Atkinson (AFL Barwon: Partnerships & Communications Manager) was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease in January 2023, and in supporting of his inspirational fundraising and advocacy works to date, we invite the entire community to collectively support Sean. 

    The luncheon will include special guest speakers in:

    • Vicki Miller (Shake It Up CEO);
    • John Eren (Former Minister of Sport, Tourism and Major Events);
    • Dr Sanjay Raghav (Neurologist); and
    • Kylie Christian (Elite Equestrian Athlete). 

    In addition, the Luncheon will feature a video interview from Parkinson’s disease advocate and dual Cricket & Soccer International athlete, Ellyse Perry.

    Stand-up comedian, actor, and Shake It Up Ambassador Dilruk Jayasinha will MC the event. 

    Tickets to the event can be purchased via the link below, and the support from the wider community, would be greatly appreciated: 

    Event Page

  • 2024 Finals Hub

    A dedicated information Hub for all finals information, including Presentation Nights. 

    Go to finals hub

Football

  • AFL Barwon Women & Girls Focus Groups

    Author: Paris Rowe (Female Football Coordinator) 

    To ensure we build on the current success whilst addressing the challenges and opportunities for Women & Girls Football within the region, we are eager as an organisation to engage Club representatives in the coming weeks to collaborate and plan for the future. 

    To enable collaborative discussions and sufficient opportunities for all in attendance to contribute, we’ve scheduled three focus groups focusing on all of Women & Girls Football (i.e. Juniors & Seniors – all age groups) with all Women & Girls Football Clubs invited as per the dates below:  

    WEDNESDAY 31ST JULY 2024 
    Barwon Heads FNC 
    Geelong Amateur FNC 
    Grovedale FNC 
    Lara FNC 
    Newtown & Chilwell FNC 
    St. Joseph’s FNC 
    St. Mary’s FNC 
    Thomson FNC 
    Torquay FNC 
     
    MONDAY 5TH AUGUST 2024 
    Anglesea FNC 
    Belmont FNC 
    Drysdale FNC 
    Geelong West FNC 
    Modewarre FNC 
    North Geelong FNC 
    South Barwon FNC 
    St. Albans FNC 
     
    MONDAY 12TH AUGUST 2024 
    Armstrong Creek FNC 
    Bannockburn FNC 
    Bell Park FNC 
    East Geelong FNC 
    Inverleigh FNC 
    Ocean Grove FNC 
    Peninsula Sharks FC 
    Surf Coast FNC  

    KEY EVENT DETAILS FOR ALL THREE EVENINGS: 
    6:30pm start time 
    Anticipated finish time of 8:30pm 
    AFL Barwon HQ, 204 Roslyn Road Highton VIC 3216 

    Anyone within your Club’s ranks are welcome to attend - whether they may be a President, Coordinator, Coach, Team Manager etc. However, your support with catering requirements and overall evening preparation is greatly appreciated, through the completion of the RSVP Form below: 

    RSVP Form

  • Senior Male & U18 Colts Competition Update

    Author: Simon Riddoch (Football Coordinator)

    AFL Barwon Football Senior & U18 Colts contacts  

    • 2024 AFL Barwon Club managers, Coordinators game day meeting #3 17th July 2024, was very well supported by clubs in the region, we now have a view of the finals coming up. 
    • Any Football Club volunteers looking to extend their services during Senior finals (Timekeepers, Umpire escorts, ECT) please let me know. I have a job for you!  
    • Geelong Addy Votes – clubs reminded Tuesday at 9.30 am to be submitted. 
    • The TAC round last week had amazing support and all clubs should be proud of their efforts. 
    • Size 4 branded leather Footballs available for $70 each from AFL Barwon office 

    All Football game day managers remember  

    • 13.3 Both Home and Away Team Managers 
    • Both Team managers are responsible for the following match-day duties 
    • Provide Team Sheet to the umpires, showing all players with correct jumper numbers and all officials with correct numbers where applicable generated from PLAY HQ Data Base and signed by the Team 

    COMP RULE 3 Registrations 

     3.1 Every player must be a registered member of their Club and approved by their Club Committee.  

    22 Eligibility for Finals 

    22.1 Definitions: 

    A player must be in attendance, in suitable attire to take the field and at a minimum be on the field in the club’s interchange area for the duration of the game. (Unless forced to leave for medical reasons) 

    In this rule a reference to 

    Seniors = Community Club’s First Senior grade team, 

    Reserves = Community Club’s Second or lower Division Senior grade team, 

    Under 18s = AFL Barwon Club’s Under 18 grade team. 

  • 2024 Female Football Finals Update 

    Author: Paris Rowe (Female Football Coordinator)

    An overview of the upcoming AFL Barwon Female Football Finals Series: 

    Week 1 – Sunday 11th August 
    Venues: Grovedale FNC, Belmont FNC, Bannockburn FNC 

    Week 2 – Sunday 18th August 
    Venues: North Geelong FNC, Modewarre FNC 

    Week 3 Grand Finals – Sunday 25th August 
    Venue: Lara FNC 

    * Please note this excludes U19 Female Football (please see separate Barwon Bulletin Article) 
     
    The fixture will be released as of Week 1 of the finals. 

    Female Football and Netball Finals 
    In anticipation of there potentially being impacted players between football and netball this finals series, please be advised of the below process should you be aware of any clashes. Netball times are fixed, however there may be some scope to manipulate football times if we are informed early enough. 

    • AS SOON as the clash is identified, please email myself and Sophie Allison to advise. 
    • i.e. 2v3 netball played on Saturday & game is lost so know they will play Sunday the following week – email SATURDAY NIGHT to inform us as soon as possible. 

    We MUST be informed by 5pm Sunday of that weekend IN WRITING – no requests post this time will be considered. 

    We will make every effort to mitigate a clash, however it is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed. Early communication on your part supports us in supporting you. 

  • 2024 U19 Female Football Finals Update

    Author: Paris Rowe (Female Football Coordinator) 

     Based on club feedback, it has been noted that some clubs may face challenges in fielding a team for the U19 Female Finals scheduled initially on Sunday. 

     Based on this feedback we have revised the U/19 Female Finals series which will now be a standalone series held on Friday nights. 

    AFL Barwon appreciate the feedback received to ensure Female football at this level can still be showcased. 

     Please see below the updated scheduled dates and venues for the 2024 U/19 Female Football Series: 

     Week 1 Semi-Finals 

    Friday 9th August 
    Newcomb FNC 

      

    Week 2 Preliminary Finals 

    Friday 16th August  
    St Mary’s FNC 

      

    Week 3 GRAND FINAL 

    Friday 23rd August 
    Newcomb FNC 

     

Netball

  • BFNL & GFNL Netball Operations Update

    Author: Sophie Allison

    LIVE SCORING REQUIREMENT – ALL A GRADE GAMES 

    Please be reminded that it is a requirement that ALL A GRADE GAMES are live scored. Over the weekend, 1 of 5 BFNL games and 2 of 5 GFNL games were live scored.  

    All Club Admins already have e-scoring access, or it can be granted to an individual via the ‘my organisation tab’ on PlayHQ. - This only gives an individual e-score access and not full admin access. 

    The site for live scoring is https://na.score.playhq.com/auth/login  

     For more information on how to e-score, please see the following resources:  

    Female Football and Netball Finals 

    In anticipation of there potentially being impacted players between football and netball this finals series, please be advised of the below process should you be aware of any clashes. Netball times are fixed, however there may be some scope to manipulate football times if we are informed early enough. 

    • AS SOON as the clash is identified, please email myself and Paris Rowe to advise. 
    • i.e. 2v3 netball played on Saturday & game is lost so know they will play Sunday the following week – email SATURDAY NIGHT to inform us as soon as possible. 

    We MUST be informed by 5pm Sunday of that weekend IN WRITING – no requests post this time will be considered.  

    We will make every effort to mitigate a clash, however it is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed. Early communication on your part supports us in supporting you. 

    Games Played Report 

    We will send out games played information closer to finals, however please know you are able to download this data at any stage. To download a Games Played report in excel format, please follow the below steps: 

    • Log in to admin portal 
    • Click ‘reports’ tab on the left 
    • Scroll down to ‘Games Played’ report 
    • Generate 

    Finals Information 

    All resources have been sent to your club netball director, senior coordinator or junior coordinator, but can also be found HERE: https://www.aflbarwon.com.au/news/uncategorised/finals-hub#Netball  

     

    Netball finals information

  • All Abilities & Midweek Netball Update 

    Author: Sophie Allison & chloe Prout

     All Abilities Netball Finals start next week! 

    Our All-Abilities Netball teams have finished their home and away games with finals starting next Tuesday 6th July. We will have two weeks of finals, with 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 playing next week in the semi-finals. The games will play as below. 

    Game 1 (2 v 3):  

    St Josephs v Surf Coast Suns 5:10pm Kardinia Park court 5 

    Game 2 (1 v 4):  

    Newcomb Power v Geelong West Giants 6:10pm Kardinia Park court 5 

     The winner from each game will play in the Grand Final on Tuesday 13th July at 5:30pm. 

    Midweek Netball Finals Dates 

    The AFL Barwon Junior Netball competition only has a few weeks left! Following the home and away games, we will have 3 weeks of finals as below. 

    Week 1 (Semi Finals): Friday 23rd August 

    Game 1: 1 v 2 

    Game 2: 3 v 4 

    Week 2 (Preliminary Finals): Friday 30th August 

    Game 3: L1 v W2 

    Week 3 (Grand Finals): Friday 6th August 

    Game 4: W1 v W3 

    Our 11&U teams will celebrate the end of season with a mini-round robin “party round” next Sunday 11th August at Kardinia Park. 

Football Umpiring

  • Women and Girls Experience - Colac

    Author - Jock Hillgrove

    AFL Barwon Umpires – Colac, hosted an Umpire Experience Day for Women and Girls during the school holidays, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants. The event was designed for both newcomers to the sport and those looking to refine their skills. 

    AFL Field Umpire Nathan Williamson made a special guest appearance, sharing his insights and experiences with the group. Additionally, Liv Grcic, (VFL umpire and AFL Women’s and Girl’s Experience Officer), attended to provide a glimpse into the life of an elite athlete. 

    This was Colac's second Women and Girls Umpire Experience of the year, and it was met with high expectations and excitement. Participants had the opportunity to learn the intricacies of umpiring, connect with one another, and offer mutual support." 

    Congratulations to Evie Knight (AFL Barwon Women’s and Girls Liaison Officer) and the CDFUA for organizing and hosting. 

    Image: AFL Field Umpire Nathan Williamson at the AFL Barwon Umpire – Colac Women’s and Girls Experience. 

  • Guest Umpire Visit To Torquay Football Club

    Jock Hillgrove and Joshua James visited Torquay Football Club to educate and discuss umpiring in community football with the coaches and players.

    Dom Gleeson expressed that it created "positive discussions out on the track with some players and coaches. Congratulations on the role that you are playing within local footy."

    If your club is interested in coordinating something similar, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Netball Umpiring

Netball Umpiring Update

Author: Rachael Kirtley

Advanced Mentoring Course 

Netball Vic are hosting an advanced mentoring course on Wednesday the 14th of August.   

The Advanced Mentoring workshop has been developed for Umpire Mentors of C Badge accredited umpires who are working towards their B badge.  It provides umpire mentors and umpire coaches guidance, advice and tips that they can use with their umpires to advance them through their pathway.  This workshop looks at key areas of development and expectations of B badge umpires, and ways to provide effective feedback to achieve these skills with a successful mentor/mentee relationship. 

Kardinia Park 

6pm – 8pm 

Presented by Jo Davidson 

Cost: $10 

 

 

Register Here

Partnerships

  • Marathon Foods Community Grant

    The Marathon Foods Community Grant is a targeted investment initiative designed to support our AFL Barwon clubs with projects that improve canteen or club kitchen cooking equipment and support the cooking of Marathon Food products. The objective of the program is to assist AFL Barwon affiliated clubs with small investments that will have a long-term benefit to their club and enhance community engagement.

    The grants program is only available to clubs that have senior football or netball teams affiliated with the Bellarine & Geelong Football Netball League or are junior-only clubs competing in AFL Barwon Junior Male or Female Football and AFL Barwon Junior Netball competitions with no senior teams.

    view Grant Information

  • WorkSafe Regional Signage Rollout

     AFL VIC & WorkSafe have been working on the rollout of fresh signage rollout to replace old and damaged signs that stretch back to 2002.  

    As WorkSafe's status as Premier Partner, each club venue is required to display the WorkSafe sign. 

    They have provided the dimensions and details of the signage below.  

    WorkSafe signage specs 

    1. 900 mm (high) x 2000 mm (wide) 
    1. 3 mm aluminum sheet 
    1. Laminated vinyl 

    If there are any clubs in need of new WorkSafe signs, please fill in the following survey.

    Click for Survey

Club Development

Gallery Highlights

  • Grovedale V Lara

    A Grade Netball

  • Grovedale V Lara

    Senior Male Football

  • St Albans V Surf Coast Fishos

    U14 Div 2 (Female)

Click to view gallery. All galleries are uploaded weekly to AFL Barwon Facebook.

AFL Barwon Facebook

Media Highlights

Read All Latest News

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Mental Health Round

Mental Health Round

19 June - 21 June 2026

Mental Health Round

19 - 21 June 2026

Supported by Read The Play

About Read the Play Mental Health Round

Read the Play Round is about raising awareness of mental health, breaking down stigma, and encouraging everyone to support their teammates, friends and family.

Mental health challenges are increasingly affecting young Australians:

  • 49% of young Australians report experiencing high or very high psychological distress.
  • 2 in 5 young people aged 16–24 experience a mental health disorder in any 12-month period.
  • Symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress increase significantly throughout the high school years and are most prevalent among girls and gender-diverse young people.
  • Globally, mental health disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability for young people aged 10–19.

Source: headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey 2025 and National Mental Health Commission 2023.

In Read the Play Round, Under 16 male & Under 17 female Footballers, and 15&Under Netballers play with a dedicated RTP match ball.

Read the Play Round Values

Throughout Read the Play Round, players are encouraged to embody the values that strengthen both sport and community.

RESPECT
Treat everyone with dignity, empathy and understanding.

COURAGE
Speak up, seek support and look out for those around you.

TEAMWORK
Work together, support your mates and create a positive environment for all.

The player who best demonstrates the Read the Play Round values will be awarded the Read the Play Medal and receive the match ball.

2026 Read the Play Guide

Mental Health is a Team Sport

Learn More About Read The Play

Mental Health is a Team Sport

“Read the Play is a unique program that uses young people’s engagement with sport and connection to their local club to deliver important messages that improve mental health literacy and knowledge about where to seek help for mental health problems. 

Read the Play has been continuously evaluated and refined over many years and impressed me with its strong focus on partnering with the local community.”

Dr Kate Hall
Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, AFL

The Tackle Your Feelings Program

Learn More About Tackle Your Feelings

The Tackle Your Feelings Program

Champion positive change in mental health at your Football & Netball Club

Tackle Your Feelings is a free mental health training program for community football and netball coaches and players, as well as committee members, umpires and other club support staff.

Established in 2018 by the AFL Coaches Association, AFL Players’ Association and Zurich Insurance, the program is based on the education delivered to the AFL industry, and is led by high profile player and coach ambassadors.

Tackle Your Feelings workshops are delivered by a local psychologist. the program aims to help participants gain tools to Understand, Recognise and Respond to signs of mental ill-health in their players.

Themed Round

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BFNL Football Best Player in the Grand Final

Bellarine Senior Football Best Player in the Grand Final

Year

 Player Club
2023 Nathan Mifsud Torquay
2022 Kyle Polley Barwon Heads
2021 N/A  
2020 N/A  
2019 Zach Walter  Barwon Heads 
2018 John Meesen  Modewarre
2017 Billy Henderson Torquay
2016 Bradley King Geelong Amateur
2015 Peter Street  Geelong Amateur
2014 Kane Smith Geelong Amateur
2013 Brad Ridings Queenscliff
2012 Daniel Gibbs Queenscliff
2011 Daniel Gibbs Queenscliff
2010 Mitchell Scott Drysdale
2009 Brett Dowie Drysdale
2008 Nathan Reid Geelong Amateur
2007 Mark Stewart Newcomb
2006 Andrew Wesley Torquay
2005 Luke McLean Newcomb
2004 Haami Williams Geelong Amateur
2003 Liam Rock Ocean Grove
2002 James Dalton Ocean Grove
2001 Matthew Payne Ocean Grove
2000 Matthew Payne Ocean Grove
1999 Ian Benny Anglesea
1998 George Arnold Torquay
1997 Will McTaggart Ocean Grove
1996 Steven Sherwell Ocean Grove
1995 Matthew McTaggart Ocean Grove
1994 Dean Gills Ocean Grove
1993 Antony Callan Barwon Heads
1992 Brian Canny Portarlington
1991 Darren Fraser Anglesea
1990 Peter Lange Leopold
1989 John McMahon Torquay
1988 Ross Gibson Newcomb
1987 Dale Lewis Torquay
1986 Shane Jacobsen Torquay
1985 Darren Wilson Drysdale
1984 Alan Lynch Drysdale
1983 Brian O’Keefe Anglesea
1982 John Fagan Newcomb
1981 John Fagan Newcomb
1980 Greg Herbet Newcomb
1979 Peter Lewis Leopold
1978 Vincent Guiffe Portarlington
1977 David Hall Drysdale
1976 Greg Scott Drysdale
1975 Peter Growney Queenscliff
1974 Geoff Fry Barwon Heads
1973 Brian Marshman Barwon Heads
1972 Garry Hamer Barwon Heads
1971 Graham Muncey Torquay

Latest News

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