Geelong's Next Generation Academy will be holding trials for its 12-15 year-old girls and boys programs on Tuesday 28 March.

The academy is part of a talent pathways program for young people of First Nations or culturally-diverse backgrounds, with Next Gen tournaments scheduled for Melbourne next month.

The trials will take place at 4.30pm Tuesday 28 March at Deakin University's Elite Sports Precinct in Waurn Ponds. Prospective players and their guardians are asked to meet Geelong's Next Gen Academy staff at the football ground club rooms off Nicol Drive.

To register your child's interest, please fill out the form here.

Victorian regional football and netball clubs can rejuvenate their sports facilities with the launch of the next round of the Country Football and Netball Program (CFNP).

In partnership with the Victorian Government and Netball Victoria, the Country Football Netball Program provides funding of up to $250,000 to assist country football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations to improve facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.

Funding is available to deliver projects that include new or redeveloped ovals or netball courts, installation of sports lighting, and construction of new and redevelopment of existing pavilions including change rooms for players and umpires. 

Any clubs wishing to discuss a project should contact their local council who will provide further advice, which may include preparing information ahead of a future round of the program.

Applications are now open and close on March 27, 2023. 

AFL Victoria and/or AFL Regions, in addition to being a funding partner for the program, can provide advice on best practise design, and support applications with letters of support.

Clubs seeking guidance should make contact with their local AFL Region Manager, Local Council, or AFL Victoria’s Manager of Government Partnerships and Facilities Jessie Doull via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss their project ideas.

For more information on the Country Football and Netball Program, including guidelines and application details, please visit https://sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/country-football-and-netball-program.

For the full list of 2021-22 grant recipients, click here.

AFL Barwon is very excited to announce that the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust will be the major supporter of the Australian first, AFL Barwon All Abilities Football Netball League in 2023.

The inaugural season of the Football and Netball League will kick off on Saturday April 29^th with a double header on GMHBA Stadium in a major coup for the competition.

The opening round matches will kick off at 4pm and 6pm, with an All Abilities Auskick session between the games.

This will provide the opportunity for players who have never played a competitive game of football before, to start their career off at the Barwon Region’s Premier sports precinct.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust CEO Gerard Griffin was quoted.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to provide unique opportunities for participation and connection, we are thrilled to be hosting the opening round of the AFL Barwon All-Abilities Football Netball League on GMHBA Stadium. Kardinia Park strives to be truly inclusive, embrace diversity and support our local community.”

AFL Barwon Region General Manager, Edward Wilson, was quoted.

“We’re extremely appreciative of Kardinia Park’s endorsement of the inaugural AFL Barwon All Abilities Football Netball League. This league has immense potential for growth and development in the years ahead and with the support of partners including Kardinia Park, this league will receive the exposure and value it deserves. We’re thankful for Kardinia Park’s enthusiasm and support, and we’re equally grateful in continuing a strong relationship with Kardinia Park into the future”.

Any new players, who are not already assigned to a club and wanting to play in the AFL Barwon All-Abilities League can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

Netball Victoria are running the following workshops in the Barwon and Colac regions over the coming months.

MENTOR WORKSHOP

Focuses on the mentor/mentee relationship and responsibilities, constructive feedback skills, the do’s and don’ts of mentoring, and expectations of beginner umpires.

Wednesday 8 March

6:00pm-8:00pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

Friday 31 March

6:00pm-8:00pm

Eastern Reserve, Colac

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

INTRODUCTION TO UMPIRING

Learn the basic characteristics of becoming an umpire, using your whistle and hand signals effectively, infringements and sanctions, and positioning on the court.

Sunday 19 March

9am-11am

Surf Coast Suns Netball Courts, Torquay

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

Wednesday 5 April

4:45pm-6:45pm

Kardinia Park, Geelong  

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

Monday 17 April

10am-12pm

Bluewater Leisure, Colac

Register here: https://vic.netball.com.au/events#149

JUNIOR COACH TRAINING SESSION

Practical hands-on session for those coaching/supporting NetSetGO, 9&U, 11&U, 13&U. This is a non-accredited session designed to build an understanding of teaching skills and techniques to junior players in a fun and engaging way.

Sessions will run for 1.5 hours, and all participants will receive resources via email after attending the session.

Sunday 19 March

Surf Coast Suns Netball Courts, Torquay

9:30am-11am

Free

Register here: https://forms.gle/e6fE4ETwhBd4Cnxb9

Tuesday 28 March

Eastern Reserve, Colac

6pm-7:30pm

Free

Register here: https://forms.gle/e6fE4ETwhBd4Cnxb9