AFL Barwon is excited to announce the Colac RSL Colac & District Football Netball League fixture for the 2023 season.

The 2023 season kicks off on March 25th with the traditional opening match-up between Irrewarra-Beeac and Alvie at Central Reserve. The A-Grade Netball encounter has some added meaning following last year’s 1-point Grand Final thriller.

The remaining clubs kick off their seasons on April 1st with Senior Football Grand Finalists, South Colac, and Irrewarra-Beeac the marquee game of the weekend.

The Round 2 fixtures see a Good Friday clash between Alvie and Colac Imperials at Alvie. All other clubs will play their Round 2 games on April 15th.  

There are two byes in the season with a split round across the weekends of May 20th and May 27th, and a full league bye on July 1st. 

The full 2023 Colac & District Football Netball League season fixture can be found HERE.

The AFL Barwon Commission wishes to advise that Michelle Gerdtz has been appointed as the new AFL Barwon Chair.

Having held the position of deputy chair for the last four years, Michelle was unanimously sworn in at last night’s scheduled meeting. Commissioner Ashley West was appointed as the Deputy Chair.

Michelle has extensive experience in the sporting industry, holding key roles at Netball Victoria for six years including the role of General Manager, High Performance and Commercial. She was also part of the leadership team for the Australian Masters Games and was recently appointed as the General Manager of Read the Play, AFL Barwon’s Community Partner.

Having been involved in the AFL Barwon Region as both a Netball player and committee member at Bell Park Sport & Recreation Club, Michelle was appointed as the first ever female President of a Geelong Football Netball League club when she was appointed to the role as Football President in 2012.

Gerdtz was quoted “I am honoured to take on the leadership role in one of the richest football and netball regions in Victoria. “

“I would personally like to thank Craig Keating for his guidance, support, and encouragement in taking on this position.”

‘I’m looking forward to working closely with the member clubs, commission, staff and stakeholders with the view to continue to progress the region. It’s an exciting time right now for AFL Barwon with the development of our strategic direction for the next three to five years.”

The role had previously been held by Craig Keating whose tenure was completed at the recent Annual General Meeting. The AFL Barwon Commission and staff thank Craig for his leadership, dedication, and commitment over his 10 years of service to the AFL Barwon region and its members.

Further changes to the AFL Barwon Commission for 2023 saw Lachie Young appointed for a three-year term at the November 30 AFL Barwon Annual General Meeting.

The profiles of the AFL Barwon Commissioners can be found here.

AFL Barwon would like to thank Steve Keating for his many years of dedicated service to AFL Umpiring in our Region. 

A message from Jock Hillgrove, AFL Barwon Regional Director of Umpiring:

Steve leaves us to take up an exciting Umpire opportunity with our neighbours at the WRFL, a role I know Steve will hit the ground running with and make a positive footprint to their competitions. Steve is a big loss to us at AFL Barwon and Geelong Umpiring; however, he is a true friend and won’t be a stranger to us I’m sure.

I have been lucky enough to have worked with Steve from 2009 through to today in different capacities. Steve was DOU at Geelong Umpires back in 2009 when I returned as an assistant field coach and has ever since been a confidant, mentor and friend. He is always someone I lean on for advice and with his positive and supporting outlook certainly bodes well for any coaching role he has had. 

I was fortunate enough to start my full time umpiring career in Canberra 2010 and not long after Steve achieved the role as NSW State Umpiring talent Manager bringing us back together in a working relationship as he steered the NEAFL and AFL Umpires (NSW) on their pathways. When I returned to Geelong and the role of Regional Director of Umpiring for AFL Barwon, I was so pleased to have Steve available and return in 2016 to AFL Barwon as Head Field Umpire Coach (Geelong) which he has held till this season.

Steve has been an absolute champion of umpiring to many aspiring umpires and for those that have been around for a while, he has progressed many umpires in their umpiring development whether they be new or experienced. His open engaging style fits so well with our umpiring fraternity in what can be a very challenging environment from time to time. Steve has not only dedicated his time locally, but is still heavily involved at State League level and the various Talent programs.

Thank you Steve, as well as your wife Andrea and the girls to allow us to be part of your journey so far. From all of us at AFL Barwon, Geelong Umpires and our clubs, it has been a job well done and we wish you the best of luck in the future!

AFL Barwon is excited to announce the Dow Bellarine Football Netball League fixture for the 2023 season.

The 2023 season kicks off on April 1^st with repeats of both last season’s A-Grade and Senior Football Preliminary Finals. Torquay host Ocean Grove in the twilight timeslot, while Drysdale takes on Barwon Heads at Mortimer Reserve.

The Round 2 Easter fixtures has two games on Good Friday with Queenscliff heading to Torquay and Modewarre hosting Geelong Amateurs.

Other key fixture highlights include:

• Round 4 – Traditional ANZAC Day fixture between Drysdale & Portarlington.
• Round 4 – Ocean Grove host Geelong Amateurs in a repeat of the 2022 A-Grade Grand Finalists.
• Round 5 - Torquay take on 2022 Senior Premiers Barwon Heads.
• Round 6 – First edition of the “Battle of the Bridge” for 2023 with Round 13 hosting the return fixture.

The full 2023 Dow Bellarine Football Netball League season fixture can be found HERE.

The 2023 Blood Toyota Geelong Football Netball League and Colac & District Football Netball League fixtures will be released over the next two weeks.