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GFNL

Grovedale to host all 2025 Netball fixtures indoors

AFL Barwon in consultation with Grovedale Football Netball Club and Netball Victoria, have determined that all fixtured home games at Burdoo Reserve will now be played inside the Grovedale Secondary College Stadium for the 2025 season.

During the course of the 2024 season, it has been identified that following the implementation of rolling substitutions and in conjunction with the current court profile, the Burdoo Reserve Netball Courts have experienced higher levels of congestion on the team-bench sideline, leading to an increased risk profile.   

Grovedale FNC has identified this increased risk profile, and proactively sought support from AFL Barwon and Netball Victoria about alternatives to mitigate this factor moving forward. 

The Club has been proactive in their discussions and have been actively working with Local Government to improve the conditions of their outdoor courts, and both AFL Barwon and Netball Victoria are supportive of these actions.  

While permission to use the indoor courts has been granted for season 2025, Grovedale FNC are aware that they must continue to work towards the redevelopment of the Burdoo Reserve courts as a high priority.  

All parties will continue to monitor and review the status of both court arrangements, responding to any issues that arise throughout the season. 

AFL Barwon would like to acknowledge the work Grovedale FNC has completed to date, to ensure a more permanent solution to the issues their courts face can be found. The Club has been working proactively in this space, and we support their endeavours to have their netball facility redeveloped. 

We thank the Geelong Football Netball League Clubs in advance for their support of Grovedale FNC for 2025 season, and look forward to the ongoing improvements at the outdoor site. 

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Kardinia Park to host the 2024 Blood Toyota Geelong FNL Grand Finals

The Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) will return to the Barwon region’s best Football & Netball facility with the 2024 Blood Toyota Grand Finals to be held at Kardinia Park, on Friday 27th September (AFL Grand Final Public Holiday).

In developing this plan for 2024, significant discussions have transpired between AFL Barwon, the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST) and the Geelong Football Club (GFC). The three parties share a collective approach that community Football & Netball Grand Finals deserve to be played at the best regional sporting precinct in Australia.

KPST last hosted the Geelong FNL Finals in 2019, and AFL Barwon has shared a mutually beneficial and community-focused approach to exploring a return to Kardinia Park in 2024. The AFL Barwon & Geelong FC Strategic Partnership launched in May 2023, has spring boarded collaboration between the three organisations and has produced several strategic outcomes, for the benefit of the region, community stakeholders and Clubs alike.

This strategic decision between AFLB, KPST & GFC is aimed to enhance the overall experience for participants and spectators alike, setting the stage for an exciting and memorable event.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Gerard Griffin was quoted, 

“The Trust is thrilled to again host the local 2024 Geelong Football Netball League Grand Final at GMHBA Stadium.”

“With the collaboration of our three organisations, we can have this aspect of community sport, both football and netball back into the precinct where they rightfully belong”.

AFL Barwon Regional General Manager, Edward Wilson was quoted, 

““AFL Barwon shares incredibly strong partnerships with both the Geelong Football Club as well as Kardinia Park Stadium Trust. This announcement secures a future that promotes and elevates our region, to the platform it deserves. We’re grateful for the continued support of both GFC & KPST, and their community-focused mindsets to support the growth of both Football & Netball within the Barwon region. This tri-parity partnership is uniquely Barwon, and we look forward to collectively working together in years to come”. “

Geelong Football Club’s Chief Strategy & Growth Officer and General Counsel, Marcus King was quoted,

“We’re pleased to support AFL Barwon in having the biggest day on the GFNL calendar return to Kardinia Park and to see community football Grand Finals played on the hallowed turf of GMHBA Stadium again.

 “We see GMHBA Stadium, and the Kardinia Park precinct, as the home of sporting and special events for the region, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust and AFL Barwon to ensure a highly successful day for our community and all involved.

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Kempe Junior Netball Representative Program

Registrations are now open for both GFNL and BFNL Kempe Junior Representative Netball Teams.

Trials will be held as below:

13/U: Tuesday October 18th & 25th – 5:00pm – 6:30pm

15/U: Tuesday October 18th & 25th – 6:30pm – 8:00pm

17/U: Wednesday October 19th & 26th – 5:00pm – 6:30pm

 

Trials will be held at St Joseph's Netball Courts.

 

Dress Code: White T-Shirts and dark shorts/skirt are to be worn for all trials (Any player in club or representative uniform will be asked to go home and change)

  • Please ensure lower leg is not covered so that a number may be written for selection

 

Those successful will represent their respective league at the Central West Region Association Championships Day on Sunday 21 & 28 May and 4 June 2023 (one day only – date TBC).

 

If successful at the Central West day, teams will then take part in the Association Championships Finals Day in July 2023 (date TBC).

 

Representative teams may also participate in the return of Barwon Junior Netball Championships. This is a weekly tournament between other league and association representative teams and would run as a 6-10 week competition in February – May 2023.

 

TALENT IDENTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

  • Players in the 13 & Under group are observed by the Victorian Regional Academy of Sport (VRAS), in partnership with Netball Victoria, to link Regional Academies of sport with high performance pathways.
  • Players in the 15 & Under group are observed by Netball Victoria Talent scouts for potential TID invitation to selection for the Zone academy and 17 & Under state teams for the next year.
  • Players in the 17 & under group are observed by Netball Victoria Talent scouts for potential invitation to state selection in the 17 & Under or 19 & Under for the next year.

 

To register your interest, please complete the registration form, Click Here: 

Further player information can be found here: 

Registrations close Monday 10th of October 2022.

Kempe Junior Netball Representative Program Coaching Applications

Applications are now open for our 2023 Kempe Junior Representative Coaching Positions.

 

Positions Available:

BFNL - 15/U reserves

GFNL - 15/U reserves & 17/U

 

Successful applicants will be responsible for the following commitments:

  • Weekly training starting no later than February 2023
  • Barwon Junior Champs: 5 or 10 week competition (plus finals) on Monday nights starting in February
  • Central West Association Champs: Sunday 4 June 2023 (Altona Netball Association)
  • Association Champs Finals Day (if successful): Sunday 18 June (State Netball Centre)

 

Requirements and responsibilities of the role are as follows:

  1. Adhere to all league policies and guidelines.
  2. Develop the team training program including skill development sessions, in line with player workloads and availability
  3. Provide coaching instruction to team members in the areas of technique, specialist positional skills and team skills.
  4. Identify and maximise underlying potential to deliver long term growth in individual athletes.
  5. Evaluate and assess individual and team performance, ensuring individuals are appropriately challenged, and provided with constructive feedback.
  6. Take appropriate action to ensure that underperformance is effectively dealt with.
  7. Develop, implement, and adapt match play strategies.
  8. Team coaches will supervise and mentor assistant coaches in both the training and competition environment.
  9. Communicate clearly, concisely and with a high level of integrity to both the player and parent group.
  10. Current Working with Children’s Check required.
  11. Minimum Development Level coaching accreditation required (must be obtained prior to June 2023). 

 

Please submit your application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. detailing your experience, coaching ideology, and anything else you think we should know, along with a nomination of which age groups/league you would be willing to coach:

i.e. BFNL  15/U 

Coaches will receive an honorarium for their contribution.

Click here for the full position description

Madigan crowned Mathieson Medalist

South Barwon Midfielder Doyle Madigan has capped off a remarkable season by being named the 2024 Mathieson Medallist.

It is the second consecutive year that the Swans having taken home the Mathieson Medal, with Madigan's teammates Fraser Fort & Matt Caldow sharing the award in 2023. 

Madigan was named best afield in 5 games and averaged 23 disposals, 12 contested, 5 clearances and 6 score involvements for the year.

Geelong West Giants midfielder Tanner Lovell was 2 votes behind with Lachlan Patten and Marcus Thompson 4 votes behind Madigan.

St Mary's star and former Mathieson Medallist, Harry Benson was named the inaugural Geelong Advertiser Coaches Player of the Year.

The full list of award winners and leaderboards can be found below.

  

Blood Toyota Seniors Cup

Best & Fairest – Doyle Madigan (South Barwon)

Runner Up Best & Fairest – Tanner Lovell (Geelong West Giants)

Leading Goal Kicker – Adam Garner (Colac) – 62 Goals

Full Leaderboard

                

Buckleys Reserves Cup

Best & Fairest – Hamish Dawson (Bell Park)

Runner Up Best & Fairest – Francesco Posterino (Newtown & Chilwell)

Runner Up Best & Fairest – Tanner Sadler (South Barwon)

Leading Goal Kicker Ayden Gras (St Joseph’s) – 60 Goals

Full Leaderboard

 

Geelong Advertiser Coaches Player of the Year Award – Harry Benson (St Mary’s)

Rookie of The Year – Tobyn Murray (Colac)

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