Skip to main content

AFLB Community Awards Finalists Revealed

05 October 2023

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