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AFL Barwon is excited to announce the Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League fixture for the 2023 season.

Round 1 kicks off on April 15^th with reigning 2022 Senior Football Premiers St Mary’s, hosting St Joseph’s in a night fixture at Anthony Costa Oval.

South Barwon and Grovedale start their season playing for the John Nankervis Shield at McDonald Reserve.

The remaining round 1 fixture has Newtown & Chilwell hosting Geelong West Giants, Colac travel to Windsor Park to take on North Shore, Bell Park host St Albans, and Lara play away against Leopold.

Other key fixture highlights include:

• Round 2 – Traditional ANZAC Day fixture between South Barwon & St Joseph’s.
• Round 2 – Spirit of ANZAC fixture between Lara & Grovedale on ANZAC Eve.
• Round 3 – St Mary’s host Leopold at night in a replay of the 2022 Senior Football Grand Final.
• Round 8 – St Joseph’s taking on Newtown & Chilwell in King’s Birthday Sunday clash.
• Round 9 – 2022 A-grade Premiers Colac, host runner up Newtown & Chilwell.

The full 2023 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League season fixture can be found here.

Please see below the list of upcoming umpire workshops and development opportunities that Netball Victoria are running in our region.

MENTOR WORKSHOP

Focuses on the mentor/mentee relationship and responsibilities, constructive feedback skills, the do’s and don’ts of mentoring, and expectations of beginner umpires.

Sunday 29 January

Kardinia Park, Geelong

5:00pm-7:00pm

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

YOUR DECISION COUNTS

Covers topics such as Contact vs Contest, Obstruction and Advantage, bio-mechanics, and how positioning and vision effect decision making.

Friday 3 February

5:15pm-7:15pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

INTRODUCTION TO UMPIRING

Learn the basic characteristics of becoming an umpire, using your whistle and hand signals effectively, infringements and sanctions, and positioning on the court.

Wednesday 1 March

4:45pm-6:45pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

MENTOR WORKSHOP

Focuses on the mentor/mentee relationship and responsibilities, constructive feedback skills, the do’s and don’ts of mentoring, and expectations of beginner umpires.

Wednesday 8 March

6:00pm-8:00pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

MENTOR WORKSHOP

Focuses on the mentor/mentee relationship and responsibilities, constructive feedback skills, the do’s and don’ts of mentoring, and expectations of beginner umpires.

Friday 31 March

6:00pm-8:00pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

INTRODUCTION TO UMPIRING

Learn the basic characteristics of becoming an umpire, using your whistle and hand signals effectively, infringements and sanctions, and positioning on the court.

Wednesday 5 April

4:45pm-6:45pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

Save the dates – confirmation and registration links available soon.

Game and Match Management - Geelong, Friday 5 May

Game and Match Management - Colac, Tuesday 9 May

Please see below upcoming date for Development Coaching Course being ran in our region. 

DEVELOPMENT COACHING ACCREDITATION COURSE – Practical Component

Saturday 18 February

Wurdi Baierr Stadium, Torquay
12:30pm-5pm

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#148

This course has pre-requisites and more detail can be found https://vic.netball.com.au/how-become-coach-accreditation

Use this link to assist in finding the course to register: https://support.netball.com.au/hc/en-au/articles/4408375692825-Enrolling-in-a-Course-or-Accreditation

Netball Victoria's Game Development Conference will be held on selected dates from 6-19 February 2023.

With both online and face-to-face sessions for coaches and umpires, it is a great way to kickstart the year and get your pre-season underway. 

Registrations are now open!

View more information https://vic.netball.com.au/game-development-conference-2023

Register now https://netballvictoria.formstack.com/forms/conference2023

Tonga Netball made an exciting announcement on June 14, revealing the composition of Tonga’s National Netball Team, Tala, for the World Cup 2023 in South Africa. This marks a historic moment for Tonga as they embark on their first ever World Cup Campaign. The team boasts a lineup of remarkable players, including renowned names like Mo’onia Gerrard (former Australian Diamond player), Catherine Tuivaiti (former Silver Fern player), and Jessyka Ngauamo (former Australian Olympian).

Among these exceptional athletes are Uneeq and Beyonce Palavi, hailing from Newtown and Chilwell Football Netball Club. Having secured their spots in the Tongan squad, Beyonce and Uneeq’s selection not only highlights the talent and dedication of these two players, but also emphasises the depth of sporting excellence found within the Barwon region. Their journey from the grassroots level to being selected to represent their country at a global level stands as a testament to their unwavering determination, perseverance, and exceptional abilities.

Newtown and Chilwell’s Coaching Mentor, Jason Woolley explains that everyone at the club is “excited and proud to see both Uneeq and Beyonce named as part of the Tongan National team.” Beyonce initially joined Newtown and Chilwell as a junior in the under 17 category and has since worked continuously hard to improve her game as part of the B grade. Uneeq has emerged as a dominant goal-shooter in the A grade team.

Beyonce and Uneeq both hold tremendous pride in representing Tonga, and Woolley describes this selection as a “great recognition of the work the girls have put into their netball.” Newtown and Chilwell Football Netball Club fully shares in their excitement and eagerly anticipates cheering them on as they compete on netball’s biggest stage.

The inclusion of Beyonce and Uneeq in the Tongan National team exemplifies the outstanding talent and commitment nurtured within the Barwon region. The AFL Barwon community stands behind these exceptional athletes, applauding their achievements and supporting their journey. Uneeq and Beyonce are poised to make a significant impact in the World Cup 2023, representing both Tonga and the Barwon region with pride. 

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After an eight-year hiatus, The South Barwon senior football team is gearing up for their first Grand Final appearance this weekend since 2013, and for their devoted community, it's been a long-awaited return. The President of South Barwon, Tim Sherman, and Senior coach Mark Neeld have shared some insight about the club's transformation. 

"The club has had a strong Netball program for some time now, but our senior football program has had some highs and lows over recent years. This year, all the pieces seem to be falling into place,"Sherman said. Attributing the success to the club's fantastic volunteers, strong supporter base and the positive and healthy club environment built for both the seniors and juniors. 

When asked about how the club has adapted to stay competitive and reach the Grand Final once again, Sherman explained, "We have continued to invest in our junior programs and build from within. This has long been a mantra of SBFNC, along with attracting a select sprinkling of new players to the club to assist us in progressing and remaining competitive."

MarkNeeld, the Senior Coach, elaborated, "Our aim has been to be a group that looks for continual improvement."Neeld went on to praise the senior team's exceptional attitude saying, “The entire group has been terrific in their attitude to wanting to be better and enjoying each other's company while doing so."

Reflecting on the coaching journey with South Barwon, Neeld noted, "It is the Coaching Group’s first season at SBFNC, and we are very much guided by the players, committee, and the volunteers at the club,"he said, adding, "It is these groups that drive the culture, and we feel privileged to be an integral part of this remarkable club."

As the big day approaches, there is an undeniable sense of excitement felt within the club. Tim Sherman shared, "Our young senior playing group and the coaches are very close, and their excitement coming into this weekend has spread throughout the whole club from our juniors to our life members, past players, and sponsors! It has been an amazing journey."

South Barwon and Leopold are set to go head-to-head in the Grand Final this Saturday, at 2:10 PM at Leopold Memorial Park. 

Author: Madison Old (AFL Barwon Intern)

Photo: Great Ocean Photgraphy

South Barwon big men, Fraser Fort and Matt Caldow have tied in a Mathieson Medal coup for the Grand Finalists. It is second time in Mathieson Medal history that two players had tied for the award, with the other being in 1995 with North Shore Jason McGowan and Glenn Keast sharing a 4-way tie.

Fort held a two-vote lead over his teammate coming into the last round, with Caldow polling the two votes he required to tie the award.

In the A Grade Netball, St Joseph's goaler, Emma Buwalda held off last year's winner Ellen Doyle to win her first medal. Buwalda stormed home in the count to win by 7 votes. The count was a role reversal to 2022 where Doyle took out the medal with Buwalda finishing runner up.

The Jim and Bill Allthorpe medal was also a tie with Newtown & Chilwell's Archie Lazzaro and Leopold's Kyle Bumpstead taking home the medal.

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

Football

Blood Toyota Senior Cup

Mathieson Medal - Fraser Fort (South Barwon)

Mathieson Medal - Matt Caldow (South Barwon)

Geelong Advertiser Player of the Year Award - Ryan Abbott (Grovedale)

Leading Goal Kicker - Sam Dobson (St Mary's)

Rookie of The Year - Hunter Lewis (St Josephs)

K rock Player of the year - Paddy De Grandi (St Josephs)

Full Leaderboards

Buckley's Reserves Cup

Allthorpe Medal - Archie Lazzaro (Newtown & Chilwell)

Allthorpe Medal - Kyle Bumpstead (Leopold)

Leading Goal Kicker - Sam Hosking (St Mary's)

Full Leaderboards

Club Awards

Football Club Champion - St Marys

Overall Club Champion - Newtown & Chilwell

K rock Team of the Year

Backs

Jack Driver (South Barwon)

Jack Melican (Colac)

Tevan Nofi (Leopold)

Half Backs

Daniel Weigl (Lara)

Jarryn McCormack (Colac)

Alex Hickey (St Joseph's)

Centre

Bailey Scott (Colac)

Marcus Thompson (Leopold)

Darcy Lang (Colac)

Half Forwards

Mitch Chafer (Grovedale)

Matt Caldow (South Barwon)

Phillip Moimoi (GWG)

Forwards

Adam Garner (Colac)

Sam Dobson (St Mary's)

Paddy De Grandi (St Joseph's)

Rucks

Zachary Zdybel (Colac)

Jarryd Garner (St Marys)

Lachlan Patten (Bell Park)

Interchange

Fraser Fort (South Barwon)

Tanner Lovell (GWG)

Logan Wagener (Leopold)

Ryan Abbott (Grovedale)

Netball

GFNL A Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Emma Buwalda (St Joseph's)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Ellen Doyle (South Barwon)

Hotshots - Ellen Doyle (South Barwon)

Full Leaderboards

Buckley's B Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Ebony Coppock (Bell Park)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Monika Hammond (Colac)

Hotshots - Yolande Miller (South Barwon)

Full Leaderboards

Blood Toyota C Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Abbey Chapman (GWG)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Candice Bull (Leopold)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Cassidy Moore (Newtown & Chilwell)

Hotshots - Candice Bull (Leopold)

Full Leaderboards

Epworth D Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Sophie King (St Joseph's)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Jessica Geary (Newtown & Chilwell)

Hotshots - Tracey Hall (Lara)

Full Leaderboards

gforce E Grade Cup

Best & Fairest - Joanne Greagan (Lara)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Elsa Rauter (St Mary’s)

Runner Up Best & Fairest - Peta Nicholls (Grovedale)

Hotshots - Peta Nicholls (Grovedale)

Full Leaderboards

Club Awards

Rookie of the Year - Chantelle Brundall (St Albans)

Netball Club Champion - South Barwon

Team of the Year

Goalers

Emma Buwalda (St Joseph's)

Ellen Doyle (South Barwon)

Uneeq Palavi (Newtown & Chilwell)

Mid Court

Elli Leydin (St Joseph's)

Zara Walters (Colac)

Alahria Smith (Geelong West Giants)

Kiahna Fallon (South Barwon)

Defenders

Brooke Allan (Colac)

Tori Honner (St Joseph's)

Indya Forde (Colac)

Coach

Courtney Cuolahan (Colac)

AFL Barwon would like to thank Steve Keating for his many years of dedicated service to AFL Umpiring in our Region. 

A message from Jock Hillgrove, AFL Barwon Regional Director of Umpiring:

Steve leaves us to take up an exciting Umpire opportunity with our neighbours at the WRFL, a role I know Steve will hit the ground running with and make a positive footprint to their competitions. Steve is a big loss to us at AFL Barwon and Geelong Umpiring; however, he is a true friend and won’t be a stranger to us I’m sure.

I have been lucky enough to have worked with Steve from 2009 through to today in different capacities. Steve was DOU at Geelong Umpires back in 2009 when I returned as an assistant field coach and has ever since been a confidant, mentor and friend. He is always someone I lean on for advice and with his positive and supporting outlook certainly bodes well for any coaching role he has had. 

I was fortunate enough to start my full time umpiring career in Canberra 2010 and not long after Steve achieved the role as NSW State Umpiring talent Manager bringing us back together in a working relationship as he steered the NEAFL and AFL Umpires (NSW) on their pathways. When I returned to Geelong and the role of Regional Director of Umpiring for AFL Barwon, I was so pleased to have Steve available and return in 2016 to AFL Barwon as Head Field Umpire Coach (Geelong) which he has held till this season.

Steve has been an absolute champion of umpiring to many aspiring umpires and for those that have been around for a while, he has progressed many umpires in their umpiring development whether they be new or experienced. His open engaging style fits so well with our umpiring fraternity in what can be a very challenging environment from time to time. Steve has not only dedicated his time locally, but is still heavily involved at State League level and the various Talent programs.

Thank you Steve, as well as your wife Andrea and the girls to allow us to be part of your journey so far. From all of us at AFL Barwon, Geelong Umpires and our clubs, it has been a job well done and we wish you the best of luck in the future!

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