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2023 Community Award Winners - AFL Barwon

Thursday October 12th saw the celebration of the 2023 AFL Barwon Community Awards Night. Held at GMHBA Stadium and hosted by Tom King, over 150 guests gathered to celebrate the extraordinary individuals who have had a profound impact on our AFL Barwon Community. This included the presentation of various administration, umpiring, coaching, training & club awards, aimed at recognising unwavering commitment and tireless effort of this year's award recipients. 

Selected through a public nomination process, here is the list of the 2023 AFL Barwon Community Award Winners:

Administration Awards

  • Junior Netball Administrator of the Year - Melanie Maycock (Surf Coast Suns) 
  • Senior Netball Administrator of the Year - Bernadette Walker (Geelong Amateur)
  • Leon Schram Award Junior Football Administrator of the Year - Donna Jervies (Bell Post Hill)
  • Senior Football Administrator of the Year - Melissa Pitt (Torquay)
  • John Edsall Award Outstanding Service to Administration - Noel Hooley (South Barwon)

Coaching Awards

  • Net Set Go Coach of the Year - Kathryn Sier (Modewarre)
  • Junior Netball Coach of the Year - Karen Pole (Geelong Amateur)
  • Youth Netball Coach of the Year - Claire Deretic (Drysdale)
  • Senior Netball Coach of the Year - Jodi Patterson (Lara)
  • Auskick Coach of the Year - Will Urquhart (Bell Post Hill)
  • Junior Football Coach of the Year - Luke McNamara (Armstrong Creek)
  • Rookie Me Youth Football Coach of the Year - Wayne Walsh (Ocean Grove)
  • Rookie Me Female Football Coach of the Year - Matt Qoon (North Geelong)
  • Peter Burke Award Senior Football Coach of the Year - Jai Smith (St Joseph's All-Abilities)

Umpiring Awards

  • Netball Best First Year Umpire - Ella Brown
  • Netball Best Up & Coming Umpire - Sophie Ford
  • Netball Umpire of the Year - Emily Green 
  • Football Best First Year Umpire - Jack McIntrye
  • Football Best Up & Coming Umpire - Eli Edwards
  • K Rock Football Umpire of the Year - Daniel Wilson

Trainer Awards

  • Corio Bay Health Group Trainer of the Year - Callum Davey (Barwon Heads)

Club Awards

  • Social Media & Communications Club of the Year - Queenscliff Football Netball Club
  • Read The Play Mental Health & Wellbeing Club of the Year - Sherryn Ross/Queenscliff Football Netball Club

Service Awards

  • Joshua Finch (Modewarre)
  • Caitlin Hoiles (South Barwon)
  • Olivia Cameron (South Barwon)
  • Robert Hallett (AFL Barwon Commission)

Hamlan Hanger of the Year - Edward McCoy (Torquay)

Geelong Homes Goal of the Year - Tom Hornsey (Modewarre)

 

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Flyers Squad 2024 | Expressions of Interest

The Geelong Flyers are inviting players who were not part of the Flyers program in 2023 to register their interest for the 2024 squad.

Athletes are invited to register for a screening session to be held on Sunday 22nd October 2023. Players identified at this session will be invited to subsequent trials on the 29th of October & 12th November.

The screening session and subsequent trials will be held at the Wurdi Baierr Stadium, Surfcoast Hwy Torquay from 3.00pm - 5.00pm.

To register: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1121754 

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AFLB Community Awards Finalists Revealed

AFL Barwon is proud to announce the shortlisted Coach, Trainer & Club Award nominees for the upcoming Community Awards Night 2023.  

The AFL Barwon Community Awards are designed to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who make our Club communities thrive. We are not only celebrating the dedication and passion of our coaches but also extending our gratitude to the tireless trainers, administrators, umpires & volunteers who are at the backbone of our community.

Purchase tickets to the 2023 AFL Barwon Community Awards Night HERE.

This year saw plenty of nominations which highlighted the remarkable achievements and admired skills of various individuals within the Club community, and the shortlisted nominees are listed below. 

Please be aware that not all awards have shortlisted candidates and consequently, we will be presenting awards for administration, umpiring, and other community categories at the Awards Night that are not listed in this article. 

Trainer Awards

Corio Bay Health Group Trainer of the Year Finalists -  

  • Phil Hay | Leopold Football Netball Club 
  • Callum Davey | Barwon Heads Football Netball Club 
  • Kim Petterwood | Ocean Grove Football Netball Club 

Coaching Awards

Junior Football Coach of the Year Finalists - 

  • Ben Gellie | East Geelong Football Netball Club 
  • Luke Matthews | Grovedale Football Netball Club 
  • Luke McNamara | Armstrong Creek Football Netball Club 

Junior Netball Coach of the Year Finalists - 

  • Karen Pole | Geelong Amateur Football Netball Club 
  • Nicole Sadler | Ocean Grove Football Netball Club 
  • Tyra Fallon | South Barwon Football Netball Club

Rookie Me Youth Football Coach of the Year Finalists -  

  • Shaun Cotter | Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club 
  • Wayne Walsh | Ocean Grove Football Netball Club 
  • Arthur Hodgson | Inverleigh Football Netball Club 

Youth Netball Coach of the Year Finalists - 

  • Claire Deretic | Drysdale Football Netball Club 
  • Elise David | Newtown & Chilwell Football Netball Club 
  • Stacey Benney | Anglesea Football Netball Club 

Peter Burke Award / Senior Male Football Coach of the Year Finalists -  

  • Mark Neeld | South Barwon Football Netball Club 
  • Jai Smith | St Joseph’s Football Netball Club (All-Abilities) 
  • Paul Liistro | Colac Imperials Football Netball Club 

Rookie Me Female Football Coach of the Year Finalists -  

  • Daniel Reed-Sharry | Geelong West Football Netball Club 
  • Matt Qoon | North Geelong Football Netball Club 
  • Nicholas Allison | Modewarre Football Netball Club 

Senior Netball Coach of the Year Finalists -  

  • Jodi Patterson | Lara Football Netball Club 
  • Shania Ritchie | Newcomb Football Netball Club (All-Abilities) 
  • Meg Badrock & Jesse Sutton (Co-Coaches) | Ocean Grove Football Netball Club 

 Club Awards

Social Media / Communications Club of the Year Finalists - 

  • Bell Park Football Netball Club 
  • Ocean Grove Cobras Junior Football Club
  • Queenscliff Football Netball Club 
  • South Barwon Football Netball Club 

Read The Play’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Club of the Year Finalists -  

  • Queenscliff Football Netball Club | Sherryn Ross – Player Wellbeing Officer  
  • Colac Football Netball Club | Jeremy Barren – Player Wellbeing Officer 
  • St Joseph’s Football Netball Club | Scott Smith – Club Wellbeing Committee Chair 

 

CDFNL, BFNL, GFNL, Community Awards, Volunteers

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Don't miss out on celebrating the unsung Community heroes

Experience an unforgettable evening of recognition and celebration at the AFL Barwon Community Awards in 2023.

Held in the Social Club at GMHBA Stadium, this event will take place on Thursday, October 12th, promising an evening of celebration, appreciation, and the recognition of outstanding contributions to our beloved sports.

Established in 2019, the AFL Barwon Community Awards was designed to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who make the AFL Barwon community thrive. This year, we're not only celebrating the dedication and passion of our coaches but also extending our gratitude to the tireless volunteers who are the backbone of our Club communities. 

Whether you're a local sports fan, a dedicated coach, a committed umpire, or a selfless volunteer, the AFL Barwon Community Awards is your chance to come together and applaud the exceptional achievements of the year.

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.intix.com.au/event/2023-afl-barwon-community-awards.

Event details:

Time: 6:00pm – 9:30pm

Location: Social Club, GMHBA Stadium

Dress Code: Smart casual

Tickets: $35

Canapes will be provided, with drinks at bar prices. 

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South Barwon's Grand Final Return

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."

Mark Neeld, 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

GFL, South Barwon, GFNL

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