AFL Barwon & AFL Victoria today announced a significant governance reform and AFL Barwon organisational restructure designed to strengthen alignment between community football and netball competitions within the Barwon region.
The reform of football’s governance structure follows more than a decade of evolution in the way community football and netball are administered across regional Victoria.
Regional Administration Centres (RACs) were first introduced in response to the 2011 Peter Jackson Report, which recommended consolidating local league administration, umpiring, and game development into unified regional models. While the approach achieved varying degrees of success across Victoria, it became clear that this structure was increasingly difficult to sustain, especially given significant growth across both football and netball competitions in the Barwon region. The AFL Barwon Commission, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria have been in constant dialogue regarding possible changes for the past 12 months.
In recent years, AFL Victoria has increased its focus toward participation growth, game development, and community engagement, recognising RAC models — centred on consolidated administration — may no longer be the most effective framework for delivery of these priorities, as well as increasingly complex football and netball league operations and locally focused strategic initiatives.
The governance reform reflects this new direction. It aims to establish clearer responsibilities between AFL Victoria’s strategic governance role and local operations of Leagues, ensuring that football and netball in the region remains strong, sustainable, and community-led.
This new structure will provide greater clarity of roles, strengthen local league connections, and maintain a regional focus where the sports of football and netball can thrive.
A name for the new local entity is still being finalised.
Appointment of a Chief Executive Officer
As part of this transition, the recruitment of the first Chief Executive Officer to manage League functions and a newly created position, will lead the reformed organisation into its next phase of growth and development of Leagues and competitions.
Recruitment for the role commences immediately, with the successful candidate to begin in January 2026.
Reporting directly to the newly constituted Board, the CEO will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across football and netball programs in driving governance excellence, community engagement, and financial sustainability.
This appointment reflects a commitment to strengthening independent operations and enhancing support for leagues, clubs, and volunteers.
Realignment of the Region Manager Role
The AFL Victoria Region Manager position for Barwon will transition to align with the AFL Victoria governance and priorities. Lisa Patterson will continue in this role.
The Region Manager will lead regional governance and strategic alignment under AFL Victoria, working collaboratively with Barwon Leagues to drive participation and game development and deliver regional planning, facilities, and development initiatives.
This realignment ensures a clear separation of League operations and competition management and strategic governance, leadership and growth (led by the AFL Victoria Region Manager), reinforcing transparency and consistency across the Barwon region.
Continued Regional Operations
The newly constituted body (name to be confirmed) will ensure regional governance and leadership responsibilities of Leagues will align closely with AFL Victoria, and will continue to operate with a strong regional operational focus.
The organisation will remain responsible for the delivery and management of Bellarine FNL and Geelong FNL and key regional competitions including:
- Female Football,
- Junior Football, and
- Midweek Netball.
- All Abilities Football and Netball
- Football Umpiring
It will also continue to provide administrative and operational support to the Geelong & District Football Netball League (GDFNL) and the Colac & District Football Netball League (CDFNL) through existing service agreements.
This ensures continued consistency in competition delivery, tribunal processes, and operational standards across the region’s football and netball landscape.
Proposed Constitutional Amendments
To support these changes, constitutional amendments for member consideration will be brought forward at its next Annual General Meeting, to be held in February 2026.
Proposed amendments include but not limited to:
- Removal of Regional Governance clauses
- Inclusion of clauses to establish League operational functions
- Formal inclusion of the Geelong FNL and Bellarine FNL Chairs as members of the AFL Barwon Commission.
- Replacement of the “Regional General Manager” title with “Chief Executive Officer”; and
- Update of the organisation’s trading name to reflect the football and netball focus and removal of AFL and Barwon branding.
These changes are designed to modernise and strengthen the regions governance, operations, league connections, and collaboration across the region’s football and netball network.
Transition Period
A 12-month transition period will be implemented to ensure a smooth and coordinated change process.
During this period, consultation with key stakeholders — including leagues, clubs, umpires, and partners will remain a top priority.
Next Steps
Town Hall Meeting
Thursday 4 December 2025 – Time and venue TBC
AFL Barwon Commission and AFL Victoria staff in attendance to talk the structure further and answer any questions.
Further updates on governance outcomes and appointments will be communicated in early 2026, following the completion of the recruitment process and constitutional review.