Please see the below dates of the AFL Barwon Themed Rounds for 2025:

• Week 19th May to 25th May – AFL Barwon Indigenous Round 
• Week 9th June to 15th June – Leisure Networks Inclusion / Pride Round 
• Week 30th June to 6th July – The Athlete's Foot Female Festival of Sport 
• Week 21st July to 27th July – TAC Road Safety Round 
• Week 28th July to 3rd August – Mental Health & Hamlan Homes Read the Play Round 

Red Onion Creative are taking booking for preseason matches.  

• Cost: $350 + GST per game. If multiple games on the same day are booked, they will provide a custom quote.  

• Delivery: Coaches receive the footage within 24 hours of game completion 

• Payment: All games must be paid prior to the day 

• Split invoices: If clubs are sharing costs, please provide contact details for both clubs 

To secure your booking, contact Jayden at: 
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
0447 376 467  

Spots are filling quickly, so get in touch soon.

Club Education Week will take place from the 17th-19th February 2025, this presents a revamped pre-season “GamePlan” engagement.

We recommend you have at least one representative from your Club at each session to ensure you gain the correct information coming into the next season. 

The evenings of February 17 and February 19 will see webinars hosted by AFL Barwon on the following topics:

• Junior Football Coordinator (M&F) Webinar
• Club Development Webinar
• Football Umpiring Info Webinar
• Football Player Payments & Salary Cap (M&F) Webinar
• Netball Player Points & Salary Cap Webinar
• Football Match Day Operations & Rules/By-Laws Webinar
• Netball Panel Umpire & Development Mentor Webinar
• Play HQ Information Webinar (Football & Netball)

Please visit the Club Education Hub for more information on the Webinars, noting registration for each webinar is important. 

SUBMISSION DUE MARCH 21, 2025

• Important: Please submit your team entries as accurately as possible, as the first two rounds of fixtures will be based on this information. Ensure all sections of the form are completed.
• Timing: I encourage clubs to wait until closer to the due date before submitting, allowing time to assess each team’s ability level.
• Player Numbers: If your club is at risk of not having enough players for a team (or has too many for one team but not enough for two), please inform me as soon as possible.

SUBMISSION DUE MARCH 21, 2025

• Important: Please submit your team entries as accurately as possible, as the first two rounds of fixtures will be based on this information. Ensure all sections of the form are completed.
• Timing: I encourage clubs to wait until closer to the due date before submitting, allowing time to assess each team’s ability level.
• Player Numbers: If your club is at risk of not having enough players for a team (or has too many for one team but not enough for two), please inform me as soon as possible.

All coaches participating in AFL Barwon competitions must complete their accreditation before their first game.

No PlayHQ Registration Required: Once a coach completes accreditation, their details will automatically transfer to PlayHQ for club assignment.

Standard Player Declarations need to be completed and signed by both parties (player and club official) and uploaded to the Club’s Player Payment Portal by the designated club representative.

AFL Barwon are seeking expressions of interest for team entries for the Female U18 Competition for 2025.

If all clubs could please complete the below form expressing your interest to enter for 2025 by Monday 24^th February 2025.

https://forms.gle/bTwFkKqMv3SM3QXz7

Please ensure all administrative information has been sent through to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for team contacts in relation to this age group.

If you have players moving to the AFL Barwon region to participate, these players will require a transfer to be approved.  This is required to be submitted through PlayHq upon the registration of the player.

Please refer to the below process when transferring clubs:

1. The player begins the registration process with their new club for 2025.
2. Transfer will be automated on PlayHq with notification sent to previous club for approval to be sought.  This is to be found un ‘TRANSFERS’ on PlayHq.
3. Once the previous club has approved the transfer, the new club will need to also approve the transfer.
4. Process is completed and the player has successfully been registered with their new club for 2025.

For further information relating to transfers please refer to the below button.

If you have any further questions in the meantime please do not hesitate to reach out to Lisa Patterson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Details:

Date: Monday 17^th February
Time: 4:30- 5:30pm
Location: Belmont Common

Auskick 5-7 years - REGISTER
Superkick 7-12 years - REGISTER

Event Information:

A Grade Coaches must hold a development level accreditation.

To support, AFL Barwon are hosting the face-to-face component of this course on Sunday 16th March at 12pm at Herne Hill Reserve – limited places available.

Participants must register through their netball learning account, and will need to have completed the pre-requisites in order to access is.  

REGISTER FOR DEVELOPMENT COACHING PRACTICAL COURSE HERE.  

A reminder that it is an AFL Barwon By-Law that ALL other coaches must hold a minimum of FOUNDATION Coaching Accreditation.  

Accreditations last for four years, and can be maintained by completing tasks as outlined on the netball learning site. - FOUNDATION COACHING COURSE HERE 

19&U Division 2 Team Entries OPEN 

Team entries for the NEW 19&U Division 2 winter competition is NOW OPEN. 

Confirm your Team Entries HERE: https://forms.office.com/r/GqdRwQL21q  

Please confirm these team entries as SOON AS POSSIBLE so that we can gauge team numbers. 

AFL Barwon & CDFNL Team Entries. 

Saturday Team Entries: https://forms.office.com/r/88u31qVDss DUE FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2025 

Midweek Team Entries: https://forms.office.com/r/1rugikN02y DUE MONDAY 24TH MARCH 2025 

CDFNL Team Entries: https://forms.office.com/r/kcxSSVPx9x DUE FRIDAY 28th MARCH 2025 

Please do not create your teams on PlayHQ directly; we will do this to ensure the naming conventions are correct. 

Registrations, Admin and Accreditations. 

AFL Barwon have created a ‘step-by-step’ guide for Netball Coordinators to ensure they are on track for the season! 

Inside you will find PlayHQ and Netball Connect Registration instructions, Team Allocation and Selection Sections, and Player Clearance & Accreditation Information. 

This will be your ‘go-to’ document over the next three months. 

Please view this ‘Pre-Season Handbook HERE’  

Total Team Points and Player Payment Limits 

All clubs will have received an email from Sophie, detailing their previous squad lists, with any reductions applied. Please review these lists and provide an update to Sophie once your squads (A and B) are stable. 

All players who intend to take the court in A Grade must sign EITHER: 

• ‘Standard Player Declaration’ (if receiving payment) 

• ‘Non-Declared Player Statement’ (if not receiving payment)  

All payment figures must be recorded and reflected in your club’s netball budget, which must be submitted via the ‘ACTUALS/BUDGET’ spreadsheet template.   

All reporting documentation can be found HERE. 

An information session on Player Payments and Points will be held during CLUB EDUCATION WEEK.  

If you require support in this space, we would encourage you to register for this session. 

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any queries. 

11&U Certificates 

All 11&U participants will receive a participation certificate for the completion of the summer season. To save on paper and printing certificates of uncollected certificates, please let me know via email by Friday 7th February if your team would like certificates so I can order these in time for the end of the season. 

Summer Competition Information 

As we return to midweek netball this week, please be reminded of the Summer Competition Handbook, which applies in conjunction with the AFL Barwon Handbook. 

This includes finals qualifications, heat policy and other information. 

Beginner Umpire Training Session 

These training sessions are to provide individuals with the opportunity to take part in an education component discussing the basic netball rules then getting out on court to have a go at umpiring in a non-competitive environment with court side support from our mentors in the program.  

Participating in one of these sessions is one of the pre-requisites for all umpires prior to starting their umpiring journey within AFL Barwon competitions.  

Tuesday 11th March 
4:30pm 
Kardinia Park 
Sign up via the link below 
 https://www.aflbarwon.com.au/umpire-netball

2025 AFL Barwon Netball Umpire Development Program 

The Umpire Development Program will return in 2025 continuing the opportunity for umpires to be guided and learn from High Performance umpires and accredited mentors from the Barwon Region.  
 
This program aims to develop and support umpires through meetings and regular mentoring across 10 sessions between March – August to progress them towards their B Badge. 

At no cost to individuals, we encourage those with current C Badge who are interested an committed to their development apply for this opportunity.  

Sign up via the below form 
https://forms.office.com/r/MZ47FX9mag 

Practice Match - Umpire Requests 

Please complete the below form should you be seeking umpires for any upcoming practice matches. 

https://forms.office.com/r/7G0feG1bE5 

All regular Club Aligned Umpires in AFL Barwon, will need to register and complete the AFL 2025 Umpire Education Module.  

Use this link to sign up as “new” or returning umpire on the Play.afl/umpire web page. 

ALL 2024 registered umpires have been receiving emails about re-registration and module completion process since November 2024! 

Please also inform This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. of your club umpire list for 2025 when known with permitted contact details, level of grade and division they intend to be officiating, to assist you with follow up and support assistance to these umpires. 

You can use the same link to send to anyone wanting to be a League Umpire in your networks as a general recruiting tool. 

All Umpires aged 18 or over MUST have a current and valid Victorian WWC (volunteer) and list AFL Barwon as an organization when applying or updating their details. 

The web page provides a lot of general information about umpiring and how to get started. 

Once registered in OHQ they will receive further “how to” information as we move forward in the pre-season. 

All Club aligned umpires are welcome to attend any AFL Barwon Umpire training venue at any time. 

These can be purchased from Project Clothig 

Geelong – purchase here 

Colac – purchase here 

Reserve Grade field umpires – shirt, shorts and socks, red/yellow/white cards 

All other grades – shirt, other shorts and socks are optional, but if used presents a more professional look to the individual. 

 AFL Victoria are excited to announce that the Melbourne Satellite Training Hub will continue in season 2025. This AFL Victoria initiative is aimed at providing a structured training session for players from AFL Victoria Country affiliated leagues and clubs residing in Metropolitan Melbourne.  
 
Summary of the 2025 details: 

• When: Tuesday night every week (one night a week), starting at 6.00pm finishing at 7.15pm. The hub will run from mid-March to mid-September with the official start date to be communicated closer to March. 

• Where: Merv (Mervyn G) Hughes Oval. 99 Farnsworth Ave, Footscray VIC 3011. 

• Purpose: To create a club-like atmosphere where country club players can train together as a group that are living in Metro-Melbourne. 

• Coach: Each session will be coached by a qualified AFL Victoria Coach Developer. 

• Communication: Registered players for the hub via PlayHQ will be added to an AFL Victoria WhatsApp group where week-to-week updates and communication is shared. 

• Registration: Registrations will again be facilitated through Play HQ, ensuring user-friendly and efficient onboarding for players. Players wanting to train at the hub will be required to register in PlayHQ and pay the player levy, to ensure players are covered for insurance. 

• Registration Link: Players can now register for the 2025 Melbourne Satellite Training Hub via this link - https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/6f5e8f 

• Cost: $90 – for the full 2025 season. 

AFL Victoria are leading the annual Regional Satisfaction Survey and we invite all Clubs to submit a response of feedback to enable AFL Barwon & AFL Victoria to adequately prepare for 2025. 

Your time and comments are greatly appreciated, and you can complete the Survey via the link below

The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program funds community level initiatives that enable participation, build capability and celebrate the role of women and girls in community sport and active recreation.

The program has many outcomes:

• increased participation by women and girls in community sport and active recreation
• enhanced understanding of gender equity practices within community sport and active recreation organisations
• more women in leadership roles in community sport and active recreation
• promotion and elevation of women and girls in sport and active recreation

Applications close on the 26^th of February. 

Local footy clubs across the country can apply for Telstra Footy Country Grants, a partnership between the AFL and Telstra that will deliver $2m per year for a four-year period to community football.

Ahead of the Game is a free program for players (12 years-18 years), their parents and coaches. Funded by Movember and partnering with the AFL, Ahead of the Game has delivered 1000+ sessions and reached 18,000+ young players nationally in 2024.

Ahead of the Game provides young players with the tools to deal with life’s challenges, and the confidence to support their mates through tough times, whilst also empowering them to look after their own mental wellbeing. The program has been designed to have localised Delivery Partners come to community clubs to deliver at a time that suits during the season.

In 2025 Ahead of the game will have capacity to deliver up to 40 workshops in the Geelong & Colac regions.

Further information and to register your interest can be found here - https://play.afl/movember-ahead-game 

Watch video about Ahead of the Game - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azNYnVgXL6s