It's Mum-mode Monday to Friday, but Saturday brings out a different side.

By Ben Andonoudis

Imagine you’ve just played a full game of sport on a Saturday, and having to slip back into parenting duties almost instantly.

For Portarlington C grade netballer Candice Bull, she knows that feeling well. Playing netball as a Mum is something she values highly after doing it for almost two decades.

“It means everything to be a mum who plays netball”, Bull says.

Having given birth to her daughter Marlee in 2007, she returned to the court a short time later.

Fast forward to now and she shares the same court as Marlee. In their second season together, the pair have played over 20 games across B grade and C grade.

Bull is “pretty proud to share the court” with her daughter, with the pair operating at different ends of the court.

It takes a village to raise a child and for Candice that was no different. She was lucky to have the support of the Portarlington community which helped her enormously as she returned to playing.

 “There were lots of juniors to push her around in the pram and keen an eye on her," she says.

While Bull’s journey has come full circle, others are at the beginning.

The chance to be a role model to her young daughter was a major motivator for Geelong Amateur Senior Women’s footballer Tash Irvine to return to football after giving birth.

“Showing my little girl that you can be so much more than just a Mum and that Mum's can do cool things” was special for Irvine.

For her, motherhood doesn’t mean that you cannot pursue your goals anymore.

“You don’t lose your sense of identity just because you become a mum, you can still achieve what it is that you want to achieve”, she says.

Having not played the previous two seasons, Irvine has found the return to football challenging in a way that many returning mothers can recognise.

“The body doesn’t quite want to do, particularly what the head still feels like it can do”, she says.

That hasn’t stopped the Ammos footballer as she has felt the support of the club every step of the way. When times get tough and parenthood takes precedence, things like going to training can be put on the back burner.

“The club has been very understanding of me not being there”, Irvine said.

For parents returning to sport, it can be a rocky ride. Irvine has experienced this first-hand.

“Be kind to yourself, you’re not the same person that you were prior to childbirth”, Irvine said.

As for Mother’s Day, she plans to keep it low key.

“It’ll probably be a family day, I don’t think there is footy involved."

One of the founding members of the GFNL is making a strong push up the ladder this season.

By Ben Andonoudis

Grovedale’s resurgence is gathering momentum as the club eyes a return towards the top of the ladder.

For Grovedale Co-President Simon Hose, it’s a club that’s been home for 25 years.

Despite never playing a game for Grovedale, Hose became a part of the club after coaching his son in juniors and “just loved the community” that Grovedale is known for.

“It’s a working man’s club,” he says. “People enjoy coming here, not just for footy and netball, but to relax and see people that they see every weekend”.

With upwards of 570 junior netballers and footballers, Grovedale has become one of the competition’s strongest participation clubs, with numbers that underline its importance to the local community.

“The club is certainly progressing on the courts and on the footy ground, we’re moving in the right direction,” Hose said.

But that growth has presented new challenges.

Despite having great facilities at Burdoo Reserve, the rapid rise in participation has meant that what was once ample space is now being stretched.

Having access to a back oval is helpful for the club, but it requires a tight schedule.

“Everyone’s got to abide by their times and get off at their required training time, so other groups can use it,” Hose outlined.

“(The club) has been here a long time and we're just getting bigger every year, and (we’re) running out of room.”

2026 so far has been a successful one for the Tigers, with football and netball producing strong results across multiple senior grades already.

This doesn’t mean that the club is resting on its laurels though as the hunger for success continues.

“(We need) to move up the ladder, especially in senior footy,” Hose says.

(We’ve) had guys here for three or four solid pre-season’s now.”

Hose described the 67-point win against St Albans in round two as a performance that, “boosted a bit of confidence and a bit of morale around the place.”

The senior netball program has also surged this season, with a host of new recruits reinvigorating the club across multiple grades.

Coach Rachel Randall is a source of praise.

“She has been fantastic for our girls over the last three, four years,” Hose said of the coach. "(She) really switched on with the whole club environment.”

As for his future vision of the club, Hose has a simple aim.

“(A place) where people want to come and play and be happy to provide something for young people to do on a Saturday”.

AFL Barwon extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Damien Christensen, a highly respected figure in our football community.

Damien’s impact across the region and beyond was significant. At GFL senior level, he coached Lara FNC (1992–93), St Joseph’s FNC (1997) and Newtown & Chilwell FNC (2016), earning widespread respect for his leadership and commitment to his clubs.

He was also the head coach of the Geelong Falcons 2000 premiership side, where he played a vital role in developing young footballers and guiding many along the elite pathway.

Damien’s involvement in the game extended to the VFL, where he represented Geelong as a player across 17 games, before continuing his coaching career with Williamstown and Box Hill.

He will be remembered as a valued contributor to the Geelong region as a coach, player and mentor who gave so much to football and the wider community.

On behalf of AFL Barwon, we acknowledge Damien’s outstanding contribution to the game and honour his memory. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

(Image: Geelong Broadcasters)