The AFL Victoria Media Awards are back in 2022 with nominations open to recognise outstanding coverage and contributions from across Victorian community football media this year.

Nominations will close at the end of Friday 25 November and can be submitted here. Information and criteria for each of the categories is available here.

Last held in 2019, the awards have returned this year as part of acknowledging the incredible bounce back that’s occurred across Victorian community football after two years severely disrupted by the COVID pandemic, and the significant role local media has played in promoting the game.

There are 15 award categories:

1. PHOTOGRAPHIC

     a. Outstanding Community Football Photograph – Action

     b. Outstanding Community Football Photograph – The Essence of the Game

2. WRITTEN COVERAGE – PRINT AND ONLINE

     a. Outstanding feature story – print or online

     b. Outstanding news story – print or online

     c. Outstanding column – print or online

     d. Outstanding newspaper or news website coverage

     e. Outstanding community football-focused publication – print or online

3. TV AND VIDEO

     a. Best use of TV – TV show, news or feature story

     b. Best use of online video

4. RADIO AND PODCASTS

     a. Outstanding Radio Match Day coverage

     b. Outstanding Football Radio Show or Podcast

5. GENERAL

     a. Outstanding contribution to community football media

     b. Outstanding coverage – Diversity and Inclusion

     c. Outstanding talent – Diversity and Inclusion

     d. Rising Star

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS

Head of AFL Victoria, Ben Kavenagh, said: “AFL Victoria would like to thank and recognise the contribution media across the state has made in promoting footy, growing the game and ensuring football remains the heartbeat of so many Victorian communities.

“Over the course of 2020 and 2021 we were reminded how much community football means to so many when it was taken away and it’s been incredible to see the game rebound strongly in 2022. The media has played a significant role in football bouncing back and the 2022 AFL Victoria Media Awards aim to recognise outstanding contributions and coverage from media across the state.

“I encourage individuals and organisations to get their nominations in and help to shine a light on the great work the media has done in covering Victorian community football.”

AFL Barwon is excited to announce that K rock will be the radio broadcasting partner for the Geelong Football Netball League again in 2023.

The extension of the partnership provides the local AFL Barwon football community with an AFL standard commentary call each weekend.

K rock will also continue with their commitment to the end of season awards in the Team of the Year, Umpire of the Year, and the Most Valuable Player.

AFL Barwon Commercial Partnerships & Communications Manager, Sean Atkinson stated” To have the quality broadcast product that K rock brings to region is the envy of other leagues. We are very excited to continue our partnership with K rock for another year and look forward to the opportunities this brings our clubs. K rock have been fantastic supporters of local football for many years, and we are really looking forward to continuing our strong relationship.”

You can tune into K rock each day by simply going to https://krock.com.au/listen 

AFL Barwon is excited to announce that there will be an additional age group added into our Female Football Competitions in 2023.

After an extensive review, including consultation with the clubs and key stakeholders, the Female junior age groups will revert to Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 19 for 2023 and beyond.

The age group change will provide a full female football pathway from juniors through to seniors, aligning with our mixed and male age group pathway.

There were some key events throughout the 2022 season that saw great numbers and support of females playing football – the Female Festival of Sport week consisted of a Junior Girls Round Robin. This led into a momentous final’s series with St Joseph’s FNC hosting one of its largest crowds in recent times.

AFL Barwon is keen to ensure we are providing the best pathway and support for the females in our community to ensure they continue playing football and have fun doing so.

AFL Barwon Region General Manager, Edward Wilson was quoted "The change in age groups represents the exponential growth our region has experienced, both pre, during and post COVID effected seasons. This change provides greater opportunities for participation, development, and career longevity, to ensure our female footballers are provided with the best environment locally to excel and enjoy their football.”

AFL Barwon Female Football Coordinator Bree Beckley was quoted “I very much look forward to continuing working alongside clubs for the 2023 season to help and give more girls the opportunity to play football. I want to ensure girls and women have fun playing the great game of footy in our region”

AFL Barwon wishes to thank all stakeholders for their collaboration and input throughout the review process.

The AFL has bolstered its commitment to growing the game of Australian Football in primary school-aged classrooms and playing fields across the country with the launch of its new, free schools program.

The AFL Schools program, available at play.afl/schools, will make physical football activities more accessible and easier to deliver, while also increasing classroom-based educational outcomes with a suite of free, online curriculum resources. 

The AFL, in conjunction with Australian education agency Kimberlin Education, have been developing this program for the past 12 months. The disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic only heightened the importance of helping teachers and schools get their students physically active. 

The site and resources are backed by focused market research, created by teachers for teachers, and designed to equip time-poor educators with what they need to deliver engaging, quality programs for their primary school students from Foundation to Year Six. Students will be encouraged to become more active and engaged in their learning, while they get exposed the great game of Australian Football, its clubs and players. 

The online program features 77 new lessons, comprising of both in-class and on-field resources, complemented by a suite of professional development opportunities to benefit teachers. Each class is 45-minutes and gives teachers everything they need to deliver lessons. Teachers and students don’t need to be familiar with the game of Australian Football to use and benefit from the program.

The curriculum is housed in a new bespoke website – play.afl/schools – with individual PDFs focusing on ‘In Class’ or ‘Off Field’ lessons, Practical or On-Field classes, and additional support materials; there is something for every aspect of education.  

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READ THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE ON AFL.COM.AU HERE