AFL Barwon is excited to announce Julie Ford as the newly appointed Women and Girls Education Umpiring Facilitator. We are proud to share this announcement with AFL Victoria, in-line with the state and region's 2030 Women & Girls Action Plan.

Leigh Buwalda (Victorian Umpire Recruitment & Retention Lead) describes that the Women and Girls Education pilot is “designed to assist community umpiring groups in developing a better environment for all umpires, with a specific focus on our female and new starter umpires”.

With over 10 years of experience in the umpiring industry, Julie is excited to take part in her first pilot program aimed at female umpires. Hoping to create an all-inclusive environment for all genders, all abilities, and all cultures to be welcomed into, Julie is looking forward to developing the role with support from AFL Victoria and AFL Barwon.

Working alongside an existing team of female umpires, Julie will be responsible for delivering key objectives for female football umpiring and will play a vital role in supporting and empowering women and girls within the umpiring community. Serving as the main point of contact for new and existing female umpires, Julie will address issues related to inclusion, the umpiring environment, and coaching/selection practices. Additionally, she will provide mentorship in discipline-specific skills, support the induction of new umpires, facilitate networking opportunities with local schools and football clubs, and have a voice at the strategic level to ensure inclusive policies are maintained. Overall, Julie’s role is crucial in creating an inclusive and supportive environment for females in umpiring.

AFL Barwon’s Director of Umpiring, Jock Hillgrove, explains that “umpiring is the absolute back bone to football and enhancing the opportunities for women and girls to get involved, whilst creating new pathways for inclusion, is paramount in strengthening our umpiring group. Noting the competencies Julie brings to this position and the impact this position can have on the region, we’re humbled and excited by the outcomes it will bring”.

AFL Barwon congratulates Julie on this position and looks forward to the skills, qualifications and experience she’ll bring to this opportunity.

Geelong Cats announce a new three-year partnership with Australia’s most trusted paint brand, Dulux, welcoming them as the Club’s Official Paint Partner.

The Cats and Dulux share an ethos of connecting with community, with Dulux Colour Your Club campaign at the heart of the partnership. The initiative will work with support from AFL Barwon and AFL Western Districts to invite sports clubs in the G21 and Barwon South West regions to apply for a clubhouse repaint and refresh.

“We are pleased to welcome Dulux to our partner family at the Cats. Dulux is a brand that, like the Cats, has a strong identity, rich history and a commitment to initiatives that support the community, sporting clubs and local businesses,” Geelong Chief Operating Officer Simon Kelleher said.

“Alongside Dulux, we can’t wait to roll out some exciting initiatives that will help transform communities at the grassroots level throughout the G21 and Barwon South West regions together.”

Speaking on the partnership, Dulux Chief Operating Officer Pat Jones said Dulux was thrilled to partner with Geelong to support community clubs in these regions.

“Just like Geelong is ‘more than just a club’, at Dulux we are more than just a paint brand, we are supporters of community,” Jones said.

“We both have deep respect for our shared histories whilst keeping a firm eye on the future and what our communities need. It’s all about people in the end.

“We recently celebrated a decade long partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia that has seen us provide over 40,000 litres of paint for surf clubs around the country. Clubs all along the western Victorian coast: from Anglesea to Apollo Bay, Torquay to Port Fairy, and Lorne to Portland, have been provided paint by Dulux, to help them keep their clubhouses protected from the harsh climate, whilst maintaining these important community hubs.”  

“We hope that the Dulux Colour Your Club program will celebrate and support Geelong, Surf Coast and Western District regional football clubs and the position they hold as a hub of their communities.”

Dulux Colour Your Club initiative will call on sports clubs in the region to nominate their club for a painted makeover of their facilities.

More details on how clubs can nominate will be shared in the coming weeks.

AFL Barwon advises the Match Review of the weekends games has been completed with the following findings.

Lara v North Shore

At the request of the officiating umpire, the MRP reviewed an incident in the 2^nd quarter of the Lara v North Shore Senior match 13/5/2023 that involved #4 Lara Matt Spence and #39 North Shore Joseph Salmon.

They deemed that the actions of Salmon were clumsy and potentially warranted a 50 metre penalty, but was not reportable. No charge was laid.

Geelong Amateur v Drysdale

1. At the request of the officiating umpire, the MRP reviewed an incident in the 2^nd quarter of the Geelong Amateur v Drysdale Senior match 13/5/2023 that involved a potential dangerous tackle by #64 Drysdale Jye Hawkins on an unknown Geelong Amateur Player.

They deemed that the tackle was not reportable. No charge was laid.

2. At the request of the officiating umpire, the MRP reviewed an incident in the 2^nd quarter of the Geelong Amateur v Drysdale Senior match 13/5/2023 that involved a potential dangerous tackle by #43 Geelong Amateur William Page on #35 Drysdale George Christofi.

They deemed that the tackle was dangerous and reportable as engaging in rough conduct.

They classified it as: Careless conduct – High Impact – Contact was high with the head hitting the ground.

The player has rejected the early guilty plea of a 2 match penalty and has requested the charge be heard at tribunal.

The hearing will be held 7.00pm Wednesday 17^th May.

Newtown & Chilwell v Leopold

1. At the request of the officiating umpire, the MRP reviewed an incident in the 1^st quarter of the Newtown & Chilwell v Leopold Senior match 13/5/2023 that involved a potential dangerous tackle by #44 Newtown & Chilwell Connor Fopiani on #3 Leopold Marcus Thompson.

They deemed that the tackle was not reportable. No charge was laid.

2. At the request of Leopold FNC, the MRP reviewed an incident in the 4^th quarter of the Newtown & Chilwell v Leopold Senior match 13/5/2023 that involved:

• A  potential strike by #32 Newtown & Chilwell Luke Maddock on #18 Leopold Connor Giddings.

They deemed that player Maddock struck player Giddings to the midriff and have reported him for striking.

They classified it as: Intentional conduct – Low Impact – Contact was to the body.

• They also viewed a follow-up incident whereby the deemed player Maddock kneed player Giddings whilst he was injured from the strike.

They have reported Maddock for “Making Unreasonable or Unnecessary contact with an injured player”

The combined Base sanction for the two offences is 2 matches. The player has entered an early guilty plea and will serve a 1 match suspension.

North Geelong v Inverleigh

At the request of the officiating umpire, the MRP reviewed an incident in the 1^st quarter of the North Geelong v Inverleigh Senior match 13/5/2023 that involved potential rough conduct in a ruck contest by #42 North Geelong Thomas Davis on #20 Inverleigh Jake Crawley.

They deemed that the actions of player Davis were reportable as engaging in rough conduct.

They classified it as: Careless conduct – Medium Impact – Contact to the body.

The Base sanction for this offence is 1 match. The player has entered an early guilty plea and will receive a reprimand in this instance.

Torquay v Portarlington Senior match Saturday 13^th May

The Notice of Report issued on the day by the field umpire against #10 Torquay Billy Henderson for rough conduct on #21 Portarlington Matthew Fromholtz in the 1^st quarter has been assessed by the MRP and based on the vision provided have recommended the charge be withdrawn.

The AFL Barwon All-Abilities League played their inaugural match on the 29th April 2023. Players from 4 teams battled it out at GMHBA Stadium at Kardinia Park. Among these players was Newcomb Power’s Nick English, who sent us a diary that was written in the lead up to this exciting debut game. 

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Nick has not stopped talking about playing since October last year when Scott Smith invited him to join the team, he loves to train with his team mates. 

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Last week Nick attended the Newcomb game against Queenscliff. He was lucky enough to warm up with the senior team alongside his favourite player Ollie Marshall. Nick ran out with the team with a smile from ear to ear.  

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On Sunday Nick saw the Saints have a good win against Carlton, but this didn't take his focus off the big game under the lights at Kardina Park. 

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On Tuesday Nick had got his mouth guard and is now set for the weekend. 

Resting up before the school term starting on Wednesday, Nick messaged all his friends and family asking them to come along to watch. 

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There was a little scare for Nick on Wednesday when he hurt his little finger playing footy at school. After icing it all night he was good to go before the last training session on Thursday. 

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Nick had a smile from ear to ear at training, and afterwards was presented with his playing jumper from the Geelong Cats players along with the rest of the team. 

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On Friday Nick went to the Saints v Port Adelaide game with with his Mum, Pa and cousin Tess. Although the Saints lost, Nick was still only focused on the big game. 

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It’s now game day and Nick is relaxing at home getting ready to run out for Newcomb Power later that evening. 

He was ready to go at 12 noon.