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AFL Barwon

Concussion Protocols | AFL Barwon

In-line with the recent announcement of the AFL’s updated 2024 Concussion Protocols, AFL Barwon has announced updated Football & Netball Concussion Protocols.

The most significant announcement detailed within the 2024 AFL Concussion Protocols was:

  • All Australian rules football competitions at all ages (i.e. adult/open competitions and all junior competitions outside AFL/AFLW), will adopt a mandatory minimum 21-day return to play protocol. This new protocol will apply for State Football competitions (including the VFL and VFLW), elite pathway competitions (including the Coates Talent League for boys and girls) and all community football competitions; and
  • Under the new community guidelines, the earliest that a player can return to play after a concussion is on the 21st day after the day on which the concussion was sustained and provided that the player has safely progressed through each phase of the return-to-play program. 

In-line with this announcement, AFL Barwon has adopted:

  1. The 2024 AFL Concussion Protocols for all AFL Barwon and affiliated Australian rules football competitions at all ages; and
  2. Has also adopted this policy for all AFL Barwon and affiliated Netball competitions at all ages.

This adoption extends to practice matches, interleague and other games of any kind, of Australian Rules Football and Netball, in all forms.

In-line with AFL Barwon’s 2024-2026 Strategic Plan, to be community sport leaders in the safe and sustainable delivery of Football and Netball, we will continue work regionally on further resourcing and support for all affiliated Clubs, competitions and Leagues.

Clubs, stakeholders and community members alike are encouraged to contact AFL Barwon if they require further detail or clarification on these guidelines.

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Corio Bay Health Group continue into the 40th year.

Corio Bay Health Group will continue its partnership with AFL Barwon after signing a 2-year extension. The extension will see the partnership move into its 40th year, with the initial agreement made between Corio Bay Health Group founding partner Jeff Oxley and the late Don Mathieson. 

The new agreement has a generous benefit for all AFL Barwon registered Football and Netball players who will receive a 10% saving in the 2024 season on their initial treatment consultation fee upon proof of their current playing registration.

Corio Bay Health Group will continue to carry the logo branding on all AFL Barwon Competition Netballs, and on all Men’s Seniors, Reserves and Under 18’s playing shorts. The Corio Bay health Group logo will also be present on all on-field Trainer, Physio and Primary carer vests for the next 2 years. 

Corio Bay Health Group will continue to provide support to local clubs and their sports training staff, including the delivery of its AFL approved Sports Trainers Course and other educational activities in injury prevention and management. 

Adam Walters, Regional Partner of Corio Bay Health Group, expressed the organization's enthusiasm for their extended partnership with AFL Barwon. He stated, “Corio Bay Health Group is thrilled to announce a further 2-year extension of its partnership with AFL Barwon.” 

Through this ongoing collaboration, Corio Bay Health Group will offer both financial and in-kind support to bolster local Football and Netball competitions. Leveraging their extensive experience in physiotherapy, along with additional services like Sports Medicine, Myotherapy, and Dietetics. 

Walters explains that “Corio Bay Health Group is committed to helping local AFL Barwon footballers and netballers stay fit and healthy while achieving their best on game day." 

AFL Barwon Regional General Manager, Edward Wilson has expressed excitement about the partnership extension. “AFL Barwon is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Corio Bay Health Group. CBHG has a unique passion and commitment to supporting our local Football Netball community and this commitment we’re proud to support for another three years. Sincere thanks to Adam Walters and his entire team for their ongoing support of AFL Barwon and all affiliated Clubs”. “ 

For further details on Corio Bay Health Group’s exceptional services, visit www.coriobayhealth.com.au/

Craig Keating becomes inaugural AFL Barwon Life Member

The AFL Barwon Commission has tonight awarded the first AFL Barwon Life Membership to Craig Keating at the Annual General Meeting.
 
Keating served as the inaugural chair of the AFL Barwon Commission over a ten-year tenure concluding his term at the end of 2022.

Current AFL Barwon Chair, Michelle Gerdtz was delighted that Craig has been recognised for his outstanding service.
“Craig’s commitment to the Region since the inception of AFL Barwon was exceptional. As the inaugural Chair, he led the Region from through some really challenging times that his strong leadership helped guide the business, Clubs, and its stakeholders through”.
Craig left AFL Barwon last year in such a great position, and there is certainly no one more deserving than Craig for this Life Membership award.”
 
The AFL Barwon Commission also ratified the new 3-year terms of current serving Commissioners Diana Murase and Mark Wilken, as well as the addition of Ethan Vines who will fill the vacant position left by Robert Hallett who has served his full term.
 
AFL Barwon Chair, Michelle Gerdtz thanked Robert Hallett for his dedication and commitment to the Commission.
Gerdtz stated “Bob, has been a fantastic servant of AFL Barwon firstly as an inaugural regional committee appointee and then as AFL Barwon Commissioner. I thank him for his support to me personally and for his commitment to the whole Commission and football and netball in the region through this time.  

Ethan Vines joins the AFL Barwon Commission as part of the City of Greater Geelong Youth on Board Program. This is a leadership program that trains and supports young people between 18 and 25 in becoming on the boards of management of local organisations. Ethan’s expertise is in Digital Marketing, recently completing a Bachelor of Communications at Deakin University.

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Epworth Continues Major Support of Female Sport

AFL Barwon is ecstatic to announce that Epworth HealthCare have signed a 3-year partnership extension.

Epworth have been the major partner of Female Football in the Barwon Region since the inaugural establishment of the Senior competition in 2017. Female Football is the largest growing participation segment in the AFL Barwon business, with a 17.28% increase in players from 2022 to 2023.

Epworth will continue in as the Major Partner of Female Football in the region with naming rights to all divisions of Senior Female Football, as well as division 1 of all the competitive underage Female competitions.

Epworth branding will be on all Senior Female, Under 19 Female and Under 16 match footballs, as well as the playing jumpers for these Competitions.

AFL Barwon and Epworth are excited about the prospects that the next three years hold. The renewed partnership aims to build on the successes of the past, exploring innovative ways to enhance community well-being through sports, health, and education initiatives.

Lisa Garner, Executive General Manager (interim), Epworth Geelong, said Epworth HealthCare is excited to extend a long-standing partnership with AFL Barwon.

“For the last six seasons, Epworth has proudly supported AFL Barwon through the Epworth Cup and Epworth Female Finals Series and that will continue for another three years,” Ms Garner said.

“As part of our partnership with AFL Barwon, we are thrilled to continue our support of grassroots netball in the Bellarine and Geelong senior netball competitions.”

AFL Barwon Regional General Manager, Edward Wilson is also proud to extend the partnership with Epworth.

“Since the inception of Female Football within the Barwon region, Clubs and AFL Barwon alike have experienced significant growth and without the support of Epworth as a long-term partner of Female Football, this growth couldn’t be sustained. We’re extremely proud of what this partnership delivers to Female Football programs and Clubs across the region, and thank Epworth for their ongoing collaboration and enthusiasm, to sustainably support the future of football for all, within the Barwon region”.

Epworth Geelong is located on 1 Epworth Place, Waurn Ponds. For more, visit www.epworth.org.au

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Female Football Day of Play Changes

AFL Barwon, in extensive consultation with the impacted member clubs and their key stakeholders, have made changes to the AFL Barwon Female Football Day of play for the 2024 season.

The Epworth Senior Female and Under 19’s Female Football Competition’s will be played primarily on Friday nights. The fixturing of Friday night matches will be only at venues that have lighting that meet the required safety standards to host matches. There are only 5 of the current 17 Senior Female & Under 19’s clubs do not have adequate lighting facilities which will see most matches played on Friday nights. For club’s with sufficient lights to play night home games, doubleheader fixturing will be made possible. For any clubs that do not have adequate lighting, they will still play home games on Sunday's, unless alternative fixtures have been agreed upon. Clubs have been encouraged to consult and collaborate with other clubs if games need to be moved from the Friday night or Sunday timeslots for any significant reasoning.

The basis of these changes has been formulated to ensure that female participation continues to trend positively across the Barwon Region. With the implementation of the Fair Access Policy in 2025, AFL Barwon believes this modelling is a critical element in preparing for these policy changes. Female participation in the Barwon Region in 2023 had a rise of 17% across all competitions.

Throughout the consultation process, a consistent theme emerged indicating a strong desire for increased club connection among female players and officials. There was a notable interest in providing them with the opportunity to participate in club social events. The changes should also help to strengthen the connection between the Under 19 and Senior sections of the Female Football Clubs.  

There are no changes to the scheduling or day of play for any other junior female competitions in 2024. 

All fixtures for Female Football competitions will be released in the lead up to the 2024 season.

Click here for the 2024 season dates for all Female Football competitions.

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Game Development Officer – AFL Barwon Region

ABOUT US

As an organisation, the AFL works tirelessly in all states and at all levels to enhance and grow the game – from grassroots to elite. AFL Victoria’s vision is to be regarded as an accountable, respectful and progressive sporting organisation that is responsible for the continued growth of Australian Football in Victoria by:

  • acting collaboratively in the best interests of the game;
  • providing strong leadership and effective guidance;
  • managing relevant and viable state league competitions that form an integral part of the talent pathway;
  • supporting participation pathways and development programs.

We have multiple casual opportunities available in the below location:

  • AFL Barwon – Geelong & Surrounding Areas

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF

An AFL Victoria Game Development Officer is primarily responsible for conducting general Australian Football game development programs within the school and community environment. The role will include but not limited to:

  • Supporting the delivery of school’s clinics,
  • NAB AFL Auskick program,
  • Diversity Programs,
  • AFL club-based activations,
  • Promotional activations,
  • Coaching Initiatives and,
  • Inflatable activations.

OUR IDEAL TEAM MEMBER

  • Demonstrated personal initiative and ability to work effectively unsupervised and in a team environment.
  • Well-developed verbal, interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Confidence and ability to deliver engaging and positive outcomes with a range of AFL programs.
  • Current Victorian Driver License with access to a motor vehicle.
  • Satisfactory Employee “Working with Children” check.
  • First Aid certificate or to be obtained.

Desirable

• Tertiary qualifications in Teaching, Sports Coaching, Recreation, Education, Marketing or equivalent depth of experience.

• Established ability to bring together and coordinate a diverse range of project partners.

OUR CULTURE

http://www.afl.com.au/careers/experience-extraordinary

HOW TO APPLY

Simply click here to apply

Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume with the subject ‘Game Development Officer’ with your preferred region by 10 December 2021.

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Geelong Cats & AFL Barwon talk sports betting with young locals

Geelong Cats player and Love the Game ambassador Jeremy Cameron will tonight speak about leadership and why he loves footy at an online forum for young footballers and netballers in the AFL Barwon region.

The forum will be preceded by a Sport and Life Training (SALT) session with SEDA College students that will explore the risks associated with sports betting and how young people can resist social pressures to gamble.

‘Young men in the age range of 18–24 years now make up a third of sports bettors in Victoria, and participation by young women is rising,’ Cameron said. ‘I’m not much older than this group, so it’s concerning that they are betting in such large numbers.

‘Kids should be able to enjoy the footy without thinking about the odds or being persuaded by all the gambling ads, that everyone who bets will win and have a great time. That’s not the reality.’

The Geelong Cats and AFL Barwon-hosted events are being held in the lead-up to the Cats’ first Love the Game round of the 2022 season this Saturday (30 April) at its GMHBA home ground.

Throughout May, clubs across all codes and levels in Victoria will participate in Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Love the Game rounds, during which coaches and parents will be encouraged to talk to kids about the risks of sports betting.

‘Coaches will be asked to make a game plan to talk to their teams about sports betting and to urge parents to do the same during this year’s Love the Game month,’ Foundation CEO Shane Lucas said.

‘The aim is to help young people understand the risks of gambling before they are legally able to bet so that they can make informed decisions when they reach adulthood.’

Bruce Harwood, AFL Barwon General Manager, said that young people are being strategically targeted to engage in gambling through very aggressive advertising campaigns. But through Love the Game, clubs and leagues are taking a stand and educating in the dangers and consequences of gambling.

‘Many of our league members are Love the Game partners, saying no to sports betting sponsorship and taking a proactive role in informing and equipping young people to think carefully about betting.’

AFL Barwon and the Geelong Cats, along with the other nine Victorian AFL clubs, AFL Victoria and 650+ community clubs across the state are Love the Game partners. They all love the game, not the odds.

Media contact:

Geelong Cats

Bianca Wallis, General Manager – Marketing, Digital and Communications | 0421 366 262 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Troy Daniel, Marketing Manager | 0412 724 928 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation

Fiona Skivington, Manager, Media & Communication | 0428 248 931

Anyone affected by their own or someone else’s gambling can contact Gambler’s Help 24/7 on 1800 858 858 to access free, confidential advice, support and referral.

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GFL Round 12 Colac Tigers vs Bell Park

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GFL Round 12 Geelong West Giants vs Leopold

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GFL Round 12 South Barwon vs Grovedale

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GFL Round 12 St Joseph's vs St Albans

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GFL Round 14 Grovedale vs Lara

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GFL Round 14 South Barwon vs St Joseph's

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GFL Round 14 St Albans vs Newtown & Chilwell

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