Two Bellarine Clubs are joining forces to continue spreading a powerful message

By Ben Andonoudis

While every team goes into a game trying to win, the scoreboard will only tell part of the story this weekend as part of AFL Barwon's Mental Health Round.

The matchup between Queenscliff FNC and Drysdale FNC will see them come together for a cause that extends well beyond football. The Hand Up Cup is an event with special significance for both clubs after they experienced tragic lossses.

Queenscliff lost Lucas Niven in 2018 and Drysdale lost Ryan Gatgens in 2019.

Both young men were valued members of their communities, and their absence continues to be felt by those who knew them.

The tragic events brought the two clubs together, and in 2021 the now-annual Hand Up Cup was established.

For Queenscliff President Ali Waight, the match and occasion both aims to honour Lucas and Ryan, while also sending out a poignant message for the local sporting community.

“It’s okay to put your hand up for help when you’re struggling, Waight says.

"And it’s equally important to offer your hand out to someone who may be doing it tough."

This message is one that's backed up by the numbers.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 42.9% of people aged 16-85 years have experienced a mental health disorder at some point in their lives.

That reality is impossible to ignore and speaks to the role that sporting clubs can play.

“Mental health is something that affects people of all ages and backgrounds, Waight says. "Many players have either experienced challenges themselves or know someone who has,” Waight said.

With the knowledge that mental health challenges can affect anyone, the Coutas have worked hard to keep wellbeing at the forefront.

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“(And) we will continue looking for ways to strengthen our wellbeing programs and support networks,” Waight says.

For Waight this gives them an opportunity to impact their supporters’ lives in a positive way.

“Community sporting clubs are often the heartbeat of regional towns and are uniquely positioned to make a difference in people’s lives."   

It is a responsibility Drysdale also embraces through its involvement in the day.

For Drysdale Secretary Holly Roskosch, the Hand Up Cup represents more than the game itself.

“The day is about something far bigger than football and netball, Roskosch says. "Our players understand the significance of the occasion and are incredibly proud to be involved."

Just like Queenscliff, Roskosch says wellbeing is an integral part of Drysdale’s identity and one the club is proud to embrace.

“Events like Hands Up Cup are incredibly important, but they are just one piece of the puzzle."

The AFL Under 18 National Championships once again features many local talents looking to impress.

By Ben Andonoudis

Every year the AFL Under 18 National Championships provide a glimpse into the future of the game. The carnival provides a stage where young players can showcase their talents as they push towards an AFL or AFLW opportunity.

For the Barwon region, the championships have become another opportunity to showcase the immense talent coming through the local pathways.

This year is no different, with 12 local representatives selected across the boys and girls programs.

The opening games of the carnival has seen several Barwon region representatives perform well in their first hit-outs.

Leopold key forward Jett Elek provided an early look into his potential with a goal among his 12 disposals in Vic Country’s opening match against the Allies.

In the same game, St Joseph's' Noah Williams accumulated 13 disposals before a hamstring injury prematurely ended his day.

The opening girls match against the Allies featured a strong performance by St Mary’s utility Ava Bilyk as she kicked two goals among her 20 disposals to be one of the best players on the ground.

Williams and Meyah Fursland are both St Joseph’s juniors who will be looking to make the transition into the AFL at the end of the year.

Williams’ reputation continued to grow when he was named best-on-ground in the Under 17 AFL futures match at the MCG, joining previous winners such as Daniel Curtin, Matt Rowell and Izak Rankine.

This year has seen Williams continue that trajectory through his performance in the AFL Under 18 academy team, where he was also named captain, and has been appointed co-captain of the Vic Country side.

Williams was also named the Academy's best in their clash with North Melbourne.

Fursland (who was also a talented junior netballer at Newtown & Chilwell) is also making her mark. The tall defender was picked in the Vic Country Under 17 futures match last year and has continued with her form this season with the Geelong Falcons and Geelong Grammar.

For St Joseph’s senior football director Chris Hickey, the club’s commitment to junior development stretches beyond producing AFL players.

“We try and develop all our kids as footballers and humans,” Hickey said.

That approach has seen the club produce AFL stars including former Premiership winners Matthew Scarlett and Nick Maxwell, right through to the current day with the likes of Sam Walsh and Tom Atkins.

This year, the club will be hoping to see Williams and Fursland do enough during the carnival to get selected come draft time. If they do, they could very well join several other talents from the region who may find themselves in the same situation.

The full list of players selected from our competitions can be found below:

AFL Barwon has today announced the establishment of a Steering Committee to lead the development of the Barwon Blueprint - a long-term, region-wide strategy focused on strengthening the sustainability, competitiveness and future viability of community football and netball across the Barwon region. 

The Steering Committee will undertake a comprehensive review of competition structures, club sustainability, participation pathways and competitive balance levers across senior and junior netball and football leagues.

The key output of this work will be a recommendations report outlining a long-term competition roadmap, including structural options and transition plans. 

The initiative comes in response to ongoing concerns about widening competitive gaps, increasing pressure on volunteer-driven clubs, and the need to ensure local sport remains strong and sustainable for future generations.

AFL Barwon CEO and Chair of the Steering Committee, Kate Patterson, said the review represents an important opportunity for the region to work collaboratively on the future of community sport.

“Our region is widely recognised as one of the strongest community football and netball regions in Victoria, but we cannot afford to be complacent,” Kate said.

“We are seeing clear sustainability challenges caused by competitive imbalance, and participation issues that impact long-term club viability in some parts of our region, while others are experiencing rapid growth. This project is about taking a proactive, evidence-based approach to ensure our competitions remain strong, relevant and sustainable well into the future.

“Importantly, this process will be genuinely collaborative and consultative. Clubs, leagues, volunteers and key stakeholders will all have an opportunity to contribute to shaping the future direction of football and netball in our region.”

The Steering Committee will examine a broad range of issues, including competition structures, club movement mechanisms, junior-to-senior pathways, participation growth, operational impacts and support mechanisms for clubs.

Chair of the AFL Barwon Board, Ashley West, said the review is focused on protecting the long-term health of local sport rather than short-term outcomes.

“Community sport is one of the foundations of our region. It brings people together, creates connection and provides opportunities for people of all ages to participate and belong,” Ashley said.

“To protect that future, we must be prepared to have constructive conversations and make considered decisions that support the long-term sustainability of clubs and competitions across the region. 

“This is not about winners and losers between leagues or clubs. It is about ensuring the entire ecosystem of community football and netball remains strong, competitive and viable for decades to come.” 

The Steering Committee will include representatives from AFL Barwon, all four regional leagues, AFL Victoria, Netball Victoria and independent subject matter experts. Stakeholder consultation will occur throughout 2026.

A final recommendations report is expected to be presented.

To learn more about the Barwon Blueprint and register for project updates, visit www.aflbarwon.com.au/the-barwon-blueprint

AFL Victoria has today announced the formal implementation of the Barwon Regional Council, which will provide strategic leadership and advice to support community football in the Barwon region.

The formation of the Barwon Regional Council follows the announcement of governance reform made by AFLVictoria last November and represents an important milestone in the evolution of community football governance.

The Council has been established to provide strategic advice and regional leadership, ensuring decisions are informed by local knowledge while aligning with AFL Victoria's broader strategic direction.

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.

It is a move which has allowed AFL Victoria and its regions to hone its efforts on participation growth, game development, and increased community engagement, as well as assist clubs and leagues in delivering increasingly complex football and netball operations and locally focused strategic initiatives.

This implementation of the Barwon Regional Council will provide greater clarity of roles, strengthen connections with local leagues, and maintain a strong regional focus to support the continued growth of football and netball

The Barwon Regional Council will focus on the long-term sustainability of football across the Barwon region by providing advice on matters including:

• Participation growth
• Club sustainability
• Competition structures
• Governance standards
• Infrastructure priorities
• Inclusion and diversity initiatives
• Volunteer and workforce development

These priorities are aligned with AFL Victoria's commitment to building stronger and more sustainable community clubs and competitions.

The Barwon Region Council provides an important mechanism for local clubs and stakeholders to havetheir voices represented in regional strategic planning. By bringing together respected leaders from across the football community, the Council will help ensure regional priorities continue to inform AFL Victoria's decision-making and investment.

AFL Victoria Regional Manager (Barwon), Lisa Patterson said the Council is an important step in ensuring the sustainability of football across the region.

"The establishment of the Barwon Regional Council marks an exciting new chapter for community football in our region,” Patterson said.

“By bringing together experienced leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds, we are creating a strategicadvisory group that will help shape the future of football and ensure our clubs remain strong, sustainable and connected to the communities they serve.

“Their collective expertise will provide invaluable guidance as we continue to grow participation and strengthen the game across Barwon."

The following five administrators will sit on the Barwon Regional Council.

Craig Keating

Craig Keating is a highly respected community leader and administrator with an extensive history in Australian football governance and regional community service. The inaugural Chair of the AFL Barwon Commission, he served for 10 years, earning Life Membership in 2023. Beyond AFL Barwon, Keating has enjoyed a distinguished career as a pharmacist and has held numerous leadership positions, including President of the Heywood Football Netball Club, Chairman of the Western Border Football League and director roles across community health and banking organisations.

Kent Hannam

Kent Hannam is a highly experienced sport integrity and investigations professional with extensive expertise across Australian and international sport, including AFL Victoria, Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council (ICC). His reputation for impartiality, procedural fairness and meticulous investigative practice has made him a trusted advisor across the sporting sector.

Gerard Evans

Gerard Evans is a highly regarded community football administrator, holding senior roles at both Lara and Grovedale Football Netball Clubs, helping drive strategic planning, club development and sustainable growth while fostering strong community connections and volunteer engagement.

Gerard was awarded the John Edsall Award for Service to Football by AFL Barwon, and has Life Membership at Lara Football Netball Club, with His collaborative leadership style, governance expertise and unwavering commitment to volunteers and participants making him a highly respected figure within the Barwon football and netball community.

Aaron Verlin

Aaron Verlin is a respected community leader with extensive experience in governance, strategic leadership and community engagement through both sport and the disability sector. Serving as President of the Leopold Football Netball Club, alongside his professional career within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), reflects his passion for creating inclusive, sustainable and people-focused organisations.

Nicole Baceley

Nicole Baceley is a passionate and respected leader in community football, recognised for her outstanding contribution to the growth and development of female football at the Barwon Heads Football Netball Club. Nicole has been a driving force behind the club's female football pathway, working closely with players, coaches, volunteers and families to create a positive and supportive environment where participants can