AFL Barwon wishes to congratulate the below players who have been selected in the 2023 AFL Barwon Junior Talent Academy squads.

The AFL Barwon Junior Talent Academies in 2023 consist of an Under 15 boys and a combined Under 14/15 girl's squads. An Under 14 boy's squad will be released at a later date and will commence later in the season.

Players will undertake an intensive program that will focus skill and education development. The program will be coordinated by the AFL Barwon V-Line Cup coaches in a collaboration with Rookie Me and their expert coaching team.

Details of training sessions and dates has been sent to the players selected.

Under 15 Boy's Squad

Under 14 & 15 Girls Squad

Tonga Netball made an exciting announcement on June 14, revealing the composition of Tonga’s National Netball Team, Tala, for the World Cup 2023 in South Africa. This marks a historic moment for Tonga as they embark on their first ever World Cup Campaign. The team boasts a lineup of remarkable players, including renowned names like Mo’onia Gerrard (former Australian Diamond player), Catherine Tuivaiti (former Silver Fern player), and Jessyka Ngauamo (former Australian Olympian).

Among these exceptional athletes are Uneeq and Beyonce Palavi, hailing from Newtown and Chilwell Football Netball Club. Having secured their spots in the Tongan squad, Beyonce and Uneeq’s selection not only highlights the talent and dedication of these two players, but also emphasises the depth of sporting excellence found within the Barwon region. Their journey from the grassroots level to being selected to represent their country at a global level stands as a testament to their unwavering determination, perseverance, and exceptional abilities.

Newtown and Chilwell’s Coaching Mentor, Jason Woolley explains that everyone at the club is “excited and proud to see both Uneeq and Beyonce named as part of the Tongan National team.” Beyonce initially joined Newtown and Chilwell as a junior in the under 17 category and has since worked continuously hard to improve her game as part of the B grade. Uneeq has emerged as a dominant goal-shooter in the A grade team.

Beyonce and Uneeq both hold tremendous pride in representing Tonga, and Woolley describes this selection as a “great recognition of the work the girls have put into their netball.” Newtown and Chilwell Football Netball Club fully shares in their excitement and eagerly anticipates cheering them on as they compete on netball’s biggest stage.

The inclusion of Beyonce and Uneeq in the Tongan National team exemplifies the outstanding talent and commitment nurtured within the Barwon region. The AFL Barwon community stands behind these exceptional athletes, applauding their achievements and supporting their journey. Uneeq and Beyonce are poised to make a significant impact in the World Cup 2023, representing both Tonga and the Barwon region with pride. 

The vibrant coastal town of Ocean Grove is set to become the centre of excitement as it prepares to host the highly anticipated 5th AFL Junior State of Origin (SOOV) on Saturday, July 1, and Sunday, July 2, 2023. This thrilling sporting carnival will bring together 250 talented young male and female AFL footballers, aged between 7 and 16, from the Ocean Grove Cobras (VIC) and the Glebe Greyhounds (NSW).

The AFL Junior State of Origin is a celebration of the next generation of football stars, showcasing their talent, determination and team spirit on the field. This year's event promises to be a weekend of thrilling matches and unforgettable moments, as players from  both teams compete for glory and pride. And to top things off, a parent's game is being hosted on the Saturday at 2:10pm!

Beyond the thrilling football action, the AFL Junior State of Origin holds a deeper purpose raising vital funds for the esteemed charity, River's Gift. River's Gift is dedicated to supporting Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) genetic research and making a lasting impact in understanding and preventing this devastating fatal syndrome. All proceeds from the event will go towards funding world-leading genetic SIDS research at the renowned University of South Australia (UniSA). Between the two clubs, significant business sponsorship funding has already been raised, with a total event fundraising target of $30,000 being set for this year.

"The AFL Junior State of Origin is not just a football carnival; it is an opportunity to unite our community and make a meaningful difference in the lives of families affected by SIDS," said Aaron White (President - Ocean Grove Cobras). "By supporting River's Gift and their crucial research efforts, we are working towards a future where no parent has to experience the heartbreak of losing a child to SIDS."

This year's AFL Junior State of Origin promises to be a weekend of family-friendly fun and excitement. In addition to the thrilling matches, the event will feature various activities for spectators, including face painting, food stalls, merchandise stands and licensed drink sales. It is a perfect opportunity for football enthusiasts, families, and the local community to come together and support a worthy cause.

"We are grateful to the Cobras and the Ocean Grove community for hosting this event and showing their unwavering support for the AFL Junior State of Origin and River's Gift." expressed Karl Waddell (Co-founder, River's Gift). "Their commitment and generosity will help us further our research and move closer to our vision of a world free from SIDS.

The 5th AFL Junior State of Origin will take place at Minerva Close in Ocean Grove on Saturday, July 1, and Sunday, July 2, 2023. Admission to the event is free, with donations\ encouraged to support River's Gift.

For more information about the AFL Junior State of Origin and River's Gift, please visit www.riversgift.org and follow the event on Facebook - www.facebook.com/OGCobrasJFC

Media Contacts:

Aaron White

President. Ocean Grove Cobras

0402 464 082

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Karl Waddell

Co-founder, River's Gift

0488 111 182

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About River's Gift

River's Gift was founded by Karl Waddell and Alex Hamilton, two devastated yet focused and determined parents, following the death of their baby boy, River, to SIDS at only 128 days of age in 2011. River's Gift are Australia's largest SIDS specific organisation, fundraising and advocating to help find a preventative cure for SIDS. They have a strong partnership with University of South Australia, in the establishment and continued development of a SIDS biobank, for the purpose of conducting genetic SIDS research.

About the AFL Junior State of Origin

The idea for the State of Origin match came about seven years ago when two old schoolmates from Geelong, Cain Sarah (Glebe) and Harvey Stephenson (Ocean Grove), were sharing Christmas together.

After a few drinks, they started talking about how good it would be if their boys - who are the same age - could play a game against each other... so what about a footy trip?

A Geelong-based friend of the pair, Karl Waddell, had co-founded the charity River's Gift five years earlier following the death of his son, River, to SIDS, and supporting such a worthy charity through kids' footy just made sense.

With the tradition first being hosted in Ocean Grove in the winter of 2017, this year marks the 5th running of the annual event (Covid affected 2020/21), with the hosting venue alternating between Ocean Grove and Glebe each year. Collectively, over $40,000 has been raised for River's Gift since the carnival's inception.

AFL Barwon is thrilled to announce that the Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League Grand Finals will be held at the Leopold Football Netball Club in 2023.

Leopold will also host the Geelong FNL Preliminary Finals, with the first two weeks of the finals to be hosted at West Oval.

The decision to host the Geelong FNL Grand Finals at the Leopold Football Netball Club reflects the venue's excellent facilities, rich history, and will provide an excellent showcase of community sport. Both finals venues will provide an exceptional experience for players, officials, and Club Supporters.

AFL Barwon Region General Manager, Edward Wilson was quoted.

“AFL Barwon is proud to announce two outstanding Clubs within the Barwon region as hosts of the GFNL Finals Series. Geelong West & Leopold exhibit operational excellence as Clubs both on-and-off the field and court, and as such, are worthy hosts for these marquee weeks on the calendar. I thank both Clubs for their tireless support and enthusiasm in partnership with AFL Barwon”.

Leopold Football Netball Club President Richard Hockley on behalf of the committee stated that,

“The Committee of Management at Leopold Football Netball Club would like to thank AFL Barwon for the opportunity to showcase our facility to the region. We are very proud of our facility, in particular its strong connection between netball and football. We now look forward to working with AFL Barwon and all other Geelong FNL clubs to deliver a first-class finals series”.

Geelong West Giants Football Netball Club Chair Sarah Naylor was pleased to have the opportunity to showcase their club again this final’s series.

“Geelong West is very excited to be hosting the first two weeks of 2023 Geelong FNL Finals and we thank AFL Barwon for the opportunity to showcase our Club to the Barwon region once again. Following the success of the 2022 Finals Series, we look forward to building on this foundation across the Qualifying, Elimination & Semi Finals weekends in September”.  

The full schedule for the Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League Finals Series is as follows:

Week 1 – West Oval

Saturday, September 2

Qualifying Finals

Sunday, September 3

Elimination Finals

Week 2 – West Oval

Saturday, September 9

Second Semi Finals

Sunday, September 10

First Semi Finals

Week 3 - Leopold Memorial Park

Saturday, September 16

Preliminary Finals

Week 4 - Leopold Memorial Park

Saturday, September 23

Grand Finals