New change rooms, new lighting and upgraded ovals are on their way to boost more country football and netball clubs across Victoria.

The Victorian Government has announced 11 new projects that will share in more than $2.5 million from the 2022-23 Country Football and Netball Program.

The Country Football Netball Program provides funding of up to $250,000 to assist country football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations to improve facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.

The program is a partnership between the Victorian Government, the AFL and Netball Victoria. Since 2005, more than $37.5 million has been invested in more than 560 projects across the state.

Head of AFL Victoria, Ben Kavenagh, said: “With grassroots football growing and many facilities either not being up to standard or needing to expand to cater for more players, coaches, umpires and the general needs of clubs and communities, the Country Football and Netball Program continues to play an important role in helping clubs and communities across Victoria develop new and upgraded facilities.

“Local football brings communities together and clubs are often the heartbeat of towns across the state, so facilities need to be welcoming, inclusive and a place of pride for those who use them. The program delivers direct outcomes through funding projects such as lighting upgrades, modernising changerooms and expanding the availability of use for more people to play community football and netball.

“The Victorian Government's ongoing support of grassroots sport and the positive impact this has on so many communities is something AFL Victoria and local football clubs are extremely grateful for. This is a prime example of AFL Victoria and the Victorian Government working in partnership for the benefit of community football.”

2023 successful projects:

• Towong Shire Council – Female-friendly facilities at Bullioh – Wyeeboo Recreation Reserve supporting the Bullioh FNC
• Latrobe City Council - Gaskin Park Oval 2 surface upgrade benefitting the Churchill FNC and Churchill JFC
• Hepburn Shire Council – Newlyn Recreation Reserve sports lighting development supporting the Newlyn FNC
• Rural City of Wangaratta – New life for Whorouly Netball Courts supporting the Whorouly Lions FNC
• Mitchell Shire Council - LB Davern Reserve – Oval drainage upgrade benefitting the Wandong JFC
• Wodonga City Council - Les Cheesley Oval Sports Lighting supporting the Wodonga JFC
• Mansfield Shire Council - Lords Reserve drainage improvement project benefitting the Mansfield JFC
• East Gippsland Shire Council Lindenow South Recreation Reserve Oval lighting project supporting the Lindenow South FNC
• Moyne Shire Council – Port Fairy sports lighting project supporting the Port Fairy FNC
• Golden Plains Shire Council - Don Wallace Reserve Teesdale oval upgrade supporting the Teesdale JFC
• Mount Alexander Shire Council - Campbells Creek netball court upgrade benefiting the Campbells Creek FNC

Clubs seeking guidance or seeking more information on the Country Football Netball Program should make contact with their local AFL Region Manager, Local Council, or AFL Victoria’s Venue & Government Partnerships Manager, Jessie Doull via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss future project ideas.

The announcement of funding for the oval drainage upgrade at LB Davern Reserve in Wandong

The Australian Football League has launched a national campaign to highlight the importance of showing respect for umpires at all levels, from community football through to the elite game.

There are more than 15,000 umpires in community football nationwide – across the three disciplines of field, boundary and goal – and more are needed to cater for the game’s growth.

Without umpires there is no game and too often umpires are subjected to abuse on the field and from the other side of the fence. The ‘Umpire Respect’ campaign shines a light on the impact of abuse and the role everyone in football has to play in changing the match day experience to a more supportive and positive environment for all.

At the centre of the campaign is emerging 20-year-old umpire Jeremy Zhou, who has experienced abuse in the game. The campaign follows Jeremy’s story from developing a love of football as a kid through to getting into umpiring and the impact his first experience of abuse had on him.

Jeremy, who currently umpires at VFL and community level, was nearly lost to the game.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Jeremy has shown tremendous resilience and is a great example of a young umpire coming through the ranks via the pathway system, who is destined for greater things.

AFL Executive General Manager Game Development, Rob Auld, said: “No matter the role you play in football – player, coach, volunteer, administrator, supporter or umpire – everyone has the right to feel safe and valued at the footy.

“Those who abuse umpires in football are not just disrespecting the individual who is the target of the abuse, they are disrespecting the game, their club and the community they represent.

“Current and prospective umpires should know that stamping out abuse is a major priority for the game across the country. Umpire abuse needs to stop now, it is not a part of our game and we all need to own and drive it out of footy.

“Umpires are vitally important to the game and it is a fantastic time to get into umpiring, with enhanced support and pathway systems in place.”

The campaign highlights the human element of umpires and focuses on the benefits involved in being an umpire, including playing an important role in the game, fitness, getting paid and being part of a community.

The AFL encourages community football clubs across the country to promote the campaign to their players, coaches and volunteers to assist in condemning and stamping out umpire abuse.

Anyone considering giving umpiring a go can visit play.afl/umpire to learn more. 

WATCH JEREMY'S STORY - https://www.afl.com.au/news/940546/?fbclid=IwAR3VmqVr47a0P8vEv0PnT_Msf9LqBZNRd6Ym2_tNMJ738LuhJmo6SEHOa2w

The AFL has launched the 2023 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador Program and is calling for nominations of individuals who have been pivotal in the development and progression of women and girls football in their communities.

In its fourth season, the program calls on the football community from around the country to nominate someone from their club who has made a change and played a significant role in the growth and success of women and girls footy.

Nominations will be open until June 30 with seven people to be recognised – one each from New South Wales/ACT, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

It could be a volunteer, coach, administrator, player, umpire - anyone making a difference or having an impact.

Winners will be announced in August, around the start of the 2023 NAB AFLW season.

NOMINATE HERE

Each Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador receives a $1,000 grant from the Women’s Football Fund to donate to the club of their choice as well as a money can’t buy 2023 NAB AFLW Grand Final experience.

Winners from NAB AFLW Season Seven were Samantha Greene (VIC), Kristie Whittard (NSW/ACT), Jeanne Ronald (QLD), Kylie Duggan (NT), Nicole Rodgers (WA), Jodie Reid (SA) and Sarah Shepherd (TAS). Read the announcement here.

AFL Barwon advises the Match Review of the weekends games has been completed with the following findings.