General Updates
New Updates
Please be advised that due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to make an amendment to the dates for the Captain’s Media Shoots at AFLB HQ (Highton Reserve).
Updated dates:
Monday 24th March – 3pm-6pm or,
Tuesday 1st April – 3pm-6pm (Updated)
There is an expectation for each club to provide the following club representative (Captain preferred) for an individual shoot at one of the above dates.
- 1 x Senior Male Football Player
- 1 x A-Grade Netballer
- 1 x Senior Female Footballer (If Applicable)
- 1 x All-Abilities Football Player (If Applicable)
- 1 x All-Abilities Netball Player (If Applicable)
The players will need to be dressed in full playing attire – Including boots and netball bibs with changerooms available onsite.
If your club is wearing alternative uniforms for any of the themed rounds below, it would be great if you could let me know prior and have the player equipped with the alternative uniform (if applicable).
- ANZAC Day
- Indigenous Round
- Inclusion / Pride Round
- Other Club Based Initiatives
If there are any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sean Atkinson (
We apologise for any inconvenience caused here in this date change.
Webinars from Club Education Week are now available via the Club Education Hub. Please make sure you visit the page to ensure you are across everything you need to know for the start of the season.
The AFL is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and influential leader as Region Manager to meet strategic game development outcomes, including the vision of ‘Footy in Every Home'.
The successful candidate will build strong partnerships with key stakeholders across Local Football bodies, Industry Partners and Local Government to ensure that the game continues to grow and thrive in the region.
The position will be filled by a strategically minded and results driven leader with a broad understanding of - all formats of the game and a strong background in leadership, including competency in finances and governance.
Football
New Updates
Thank you to all clubs that have submitted your team entries. This is a reminder for clubs that haven’t, entries are due by March 21, 2025. It’s essential that all entries are submitted by this date to ensure your teams are included in the upcoming season.
Important: Click "Submit" once all entries for an age group are completed—your submissions won’t be received until this step is done.
If you have any questions or need any support, please don’t hesitate to reach out -
This is a reminder to submit your clubs Junior Football Team Entries for 2024 no later than March 21. I’ve included the team entry link for Junior Female football below for your convenience.
SUBMISSION DUE MARCH 21, 2025
Important: Click "Submit" once all entries for an age group are completed—your submissions won’t be received until this step is done.
If you have any questions or need any support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to
U18 Colts grading games (x4) start 26th April 2025.
U18 Comp Rule Change
Clubs have been asked for feedback COMP RULE 23 Under 18s Competitions
U18 Colts Division 1 is deemed to be an “18 a side competition” with a maximum of 23 players and a minimum of 14 players.
All Lower U18 Colts Graded Competitions are deemed to be a “16 a side competition” with a maximum of 23 players and a minimum of 14 players.
If either side has less than 16, both teams must play with the same number of players. If both sides have 20 or more players on the day, then both teams will field 18 players.
23.1.3 Where a team has the minimum number of players to start a match but not a full team (excluding bench), the team with the numerical advantage must either “loan” players to the opposition or play with an equal number of players on the field unless:
BFNL Senior Football Match Day paperwork will be available next Wednesday 26th March from AFL Barwon office.
The Last Possession Rule has been removed from reserve grade football, reach out to Jock Hillgrove (
All Abilities Fixture Requests: reminder to send your clubs fixture request times and dates to Simon Riddoch (
Bell Park is recruiting All-Abilities players, please contact Bell Park directly.
Reminders
Player points are being applied to CDFNL, BFNL, GDFNL, GFNL & Senior Women’s football.
Clubs are reminded that player points may not be available to be granted on Saturday match days in season 2025.
Please remind players to register to your club for player point allocations any player points matter ref to Michael Limb Head of Football Operations. (
BFNL Senior & Reserves footballs (8 per club) are available for collection at AFL Barwon office.
Will Ross is the lead for football ordering process.
GFNL Senior & Reserves footballs (8 per club) are available for collection at AFL Barwon office.
Will Ross is the lead for football ordering process.
AFL Barwon Senior Female Footballs (4 per club) are available for collection at AFL Barwon office.
Will Ross is the lead for football ordering process.
Resource Links
Netball
New Updates
April Koorie clinic - Ballarat
Netball Victoria’s Koorie clinics give First Nations peoples safe and welcoming environments to learn and play netball with their mob.
Players will be taken through drills sessions by First Nations coaches, helping them develop their skills, gain confidence and have fun playing netball.
Netball Victoria monthly online education sessions – Monday 7 April.
Netball Victoria is holding monthly online education sessions on the first Monday of each month.
- Session 1 (6.00pm – 6.30pm) - Role of a Child Safety officer
- Session 2 (630pm – 7.00pm) - Child Safety review & action plan
- Session 3 (7.00pm- 7.30pm) - Advocacy, grants and government engagement
- Session 4 (7.30pm – 8.00pm) - Empowering young people - benefits of a Youth Advisory Committee
You can register for as many sessions on the night as you’d like.
Feel the pulse – the Victorian Netball League
As the state’s premier netball competition, the VNL is the heartbeat of Victorian netball.
With teams and athletes represented from regions right across the state, this pre-elite competition is an important step in Netball Victoria’s talent pathway.
2025 Vixens Fan Day
Come along to celebrate the start of the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season at the Melbourne Vixens’ Fan Day.
The day will feature a dress presentation to the 2025 team, as well as activities including junior netball clinics, player signings and more.
The Vixens Fan Day is an opportunity to connect the grassroots community to our elite athletes, and we would appreciate you share with all your networks to promote the day (please see tile attached).
Details:
- Federation Square
- Sunday 23 March
- 10.30am – 2.00pm
- FREE EVENT
- More information
Grants - Country Football and Netball Program (CFNP) is now open
The Victorian Government, in partnership with Netball Victoria, the AFL and AFL Victoria is proud to launch the 202526 round of the Country Football and Netball Program.
This program provides funding, via local governments, to help upgrade and improve facilities across rural, regional, and outer metropolitan locations.
Grants of up to $250,000 are available to deliver infrastructure projects that include the redevelopment and construction of courts, installation of lighting, and construction of new and redevelopment of existing pavilions, including genderneutral change rooms. If your club, association, or league is interested in facility enhancements through this program please contact your local Council representative/s or the NV facilities team.
All applications must be submitted via a local government authority, so we encourage affiliates to begin the application process as early as possible.
Applications open NOW - close 7 July 2025
Sporting Club Grants Program - now open
Applications are open for the Victorian Government’s 2025 Sporting Club Grants Program.
Grants of up to $5000 are available for clubs to improve the skills and knowledge of volunteers, coaches, and officials, as well as grants of up to $4000 to help clubs deliver new programs to the community.
Clubs can also apply for grants of up to $1000 to purchase uniforms and equipment, and $750 travel grants are available to participate in competitions away from home.
Applications open NOW – close 27 March 2025
As we approach the season, the AFL Barwon team have been monitoring registrations across all clubs. The season is not too far away so please ensure you are getting your players, coaches and umpires all registered on BOTH PLAYHQ and NETBALL CONNECT.
Coaches and players will also need to be assigned to teams on PlayHQ prior to the season commencing.
The following correspondence was distributed to all clubs by Sophie earlier this week (
Good Afternoon Bellarine and Geelong FNL Netball Directors and A Grade Coaches,
As you are all aware, it is a requirement that all A Grade coaches hold a current Development Level Accreditation.
Can I please request that each club provide a copy of their A Grade coaches ‘Development Accreditation’ certificate (or higher if obtained)?
Please aim to complete this by Monday March 31st.
Coaches can download their certificate by logging into the netball learning site IN THE COURSES page (not certifications), and can share either a screenshot of PDF copy.
- If your coach is currently in progress of obtaining this, please send me an email advising of this and I will make note.
- If your coach is yet to obtain this accreditation, and requires a position in a face-to-face component of the course, please email me ASAP as I can request to host this component of the course through Netball Victoria.
For all other coaches, please ensure they are assigned to their relevant teams on PlayHQ ASAP so that we can verify foundation accreditations with Netball Victoria.
Monday 24th March 2025
Barwon Junior Netball Championships – Championship Teams
Venue: Oberon High School Stadium, Armstrong Creek
13&U at 5:20pm, 15&U at 6:30pm, 17&U at 7:40pm
- Bellarine FNL v Geelong Central NA
- Colac & District FNL v Geelong & District FNL
- Geelong FNL - BYE
Geelong Central Netball Competitions – Development Teams
Venue: Kardinia Park Netball Courts, South Geelong
13&U Bellarine FNL v KIC Kangaroos – Court 9 – 7:00pm
13&U Geelong FNL v CC Eagles Blue – Court 1 – 7:00pm
15&U Bellarine FNL v Monarch Crystals – Court 4 – 7:55pm
15&U Geelong FNL v GCNA Turquoise – Court 5 – 7:55pm
Join Melbourne Vixens star Emily Mannix for an action-packed, fun-filled Easter Netball Clinic these school holidays! Clinics will run from the 14th - 17th of April and are aimed for 9-14 year olds across Geelong & the Bellarine Peninsula. Take the opportunity to meet Emily and spend a morning honing your netball skills, making new friends, and enjoying the game you love. With exciting activities including a Q&A session, signings, and prizes it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience!
Limited spots available – don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Secure your spot now by registering here: Ball4All Easter Netball Clinics
Join us for the City of Greater Geelong sporting club information night, designed to provide new and existing club officials and committee members with valuable insights into the operations of sporting clubs across the outdoor network
Learn how the City support clubs operating on council-owned or managed land under a Fair Play Licence Agreement.
Key topics include fees and charges, bookings, facilities maintenance, works on council land, community grants and much more.
Details:
- Wednesday 2 April 2025
- 6.00-7.00pm
CDFNL Update
Please find attached a diagram which includes the mandatory position of the rolling substitution boxes. This diagram was distributed last week, however I can now confirm that the Netball Executive have determined that this will be the enforced location for the substitution zones this season. I have also included images from Kardinia Park from when we utilised chalk to get a sense of what the lines will look like.
The decision has also been made by the Netball Executive that the circular ‘dot’ markers should not be used, and that in the interim as we await permanent line marking from the Shire, that chalk, grip tape or chalk paint should be used.
Examples of these products can be found here:
- Chalk paint: LINK HERE (Lasts 30 days, can be washed off, non-permanent)
- Grip tape: LINK HERE
The scoring process will be UNCHANGED from last season.
As for tactical changes, rolling substitutions will require the use of the position tracking sheet.
As per last season, it is the responsibility of the team manager to provide the substitution slip to the score bench to indicate positional changes. Team Managers must be prepared and complete this action as soon as the substitution is due to occur.
- Only starting positions for each quarter are required on the scoresheet.
- The starting positions for each quarter AND any positional changes are required on the position tracking sheet.
We would encourage you to pre-type these at the start of the season, and bring them to all games. Home clubs must still have blank position tracking sheets available for any occasion that the opposition does not bring them with them.
Please refer to templates and resources found on the AFL Barwon website (link below)
Please be reminded that coaching certificates should be submitted to
21.2.1 All coaches of Colac & District FNL Clubs are required to obtain or update their Netball Victoria Foundation Accreditation AND Rules of Netball Exam prior to April 30th of the current season. (Accreditation must also be current if a higher level is held)
21.2.3 Coaching panels may consist of a maximum of two accredited people for each team
This means teams can only have ONE of the following arrangements:
- Coach and assistant coach
- Two co-coaches (NO ASSSISTANT)
- Solo Coach (NO ASSISTANT)
Co-coaches are not permitted to have assistant coaches as per the CDFNL By-Laws
Reminders
All squads should have been submitted to
I have received very few of these submissions – PLEASE do not leave this until the last minute.
All clubs must submit a budget at the beginning of the season. The budget can exceed your club’s allowable player payments (as it is only a budget), but clubs must remain under their permitted player payment limit at the conclusion of the season.
All players who take the court in A Grade must also have either:
- A Standard Player Declaration
- Non-Declared player statement
Each of these Allowable Player Payment reporting documents MUST be submitted NO LATER THAN April 30th.
These can be submitted to
For all player payment and player points documentation, you can find this HERE.
If you require support in this space, please contact Sophie Allison.
WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK.
Please support us in best planning for the future by completing the following surveys
Summer Competition Feedback:
With Summer competition having recently concluded, we are seeking your feedback on all aspects of this competition.
We know that netball is a twelve-month of the year sport, and want to ensure that the product we are delivering is something that supports your club.
Please complete this form by Monday 24th March.
Lara FNC Seeking 17&U Netballers
Lara FNC are seeking 17&U Netballers for Saturday division 1 and 2 competitions.
If you, or someone you know, are interested in playing netball in this age group, please contact
Leopold FNC Seeking 17&U Netballers
FNC are seeking 17&U Netballers for Saturday division 1 and 2 competitions.
If you, or someone you know, are interested in playing netball in this age group, please contact
St Albans - U13 Netballers WE WANT YOU!
Thursday nights at 4pm our U13's are training ahead of the 2025 season!
Bring your friends and come down to be apart of an incredible club.
Contact Jacinta on 0408295899 for more information.
Resource Links
Netball Umpiring
New Updates
The Green Band initiative is part of Netball Victoria’s ongoing commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all members of our netball community, especially our young umpires.
The program empowers umpires under the age of 18, by providing them with green bands and scrunchies to enhance visibility and promote empathy and respect from players, coaches, and spectators.
The program works in tandem with Netball Australia’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy.
Umpires under 18 years old will wear wrist bands across all our competitions when umpiring. Competition Coordinators, Umpire Mentors and Club Umpire Coordinators and Court Supervisors will oversee sideline behaviour and provide support where necessary.
Clubs have received their wristbands to pass onto those required. Anyone umpiring in the AFL Barwon Junior Netball competition will receive their bands prior to Round 1 of the competition (Tuesday 29 April).
Reminder that the next window to purchase an AFL Barwon Windbreaker is between Tuesday 1st April and Monday 7th April.
Use the link below to order
https://shop.locosportswear.com.au/collections/afl-barwon
Club Umpire Coordinators met last week work through roles and duties for the upcoming season. They are required to complete a spreadsheet with a list of umpires and their accreditation information, please complete and return via email to
Individuals can contact their club umpire coordinators directly if wanting to umpire Saturday netball this season.
We are looking for umpire mentors to assist with the development of umpires through our midweek and Saturday competitions. If you have experience in umpiring and are keen to share your knowledge with others then it would be great to hear from you.
You will receive an email to confirm your role as a mentor at the end of March and will be required to sign a document outlining roles and expectations.
If this sounds like you, please complete the below expression of interest.
Season starts April 29th
Must have completed the Foundation Umpires Education Course, Rules of Theory Netball Exam and participated in an AFL Barwon Beginner Training Session.
You will receive an email with further instructions to complete prior to competition starting.
Commercial Partnerships
New Updates
Session Dates:
Monday 24th March 6pm, Wednesday 26th March 6pm
Monday 31st March 6pm, Wednesday 2nd April 6pm
or select an individual meeting time that suits you with our support staff
Club Development
Reminders
Local club fundraising opportunity through Container Deposit Scheme partnership
Local football clubs across the state will be supported to raise funds and become more sustainable through a new partnership between AFL Victoria and Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic). CDS Vic provides the opportunity for Victorians to return eligible drink containers for a 10-cent refund.
https://cdsvic.org.au/afl-victoria
Please contact Tim Secombe (
Helping grassroots clubs and organisations address barriers in participation, develop safe and sustainable practices and build social and active local communities.
Open now - closing: 27 March 2025
Come and learn how to use Prep-to-Play and prevent injuries this season.
A practical workshop to give you the confidence and skills to use new warm-up, tackling and ground ball drills at your next training. This will include a structured, evidence-based football specific warm-up and cool down, as well as how to teach and introduce contact skills (tackling/being tackled/ground ball focus) safely and effectively.
When and where: 6.00pm -7.30pm Tuesday March 25th, Highton Reserve
Who can attend: Coaches, players, parents, trainers, health/exercise professionals. Prep-to-Play can be used in female and male teams, and all age groups.
Coaches will earn 50 CPD points via AFL Learn.
Please contact Tim Secombe (
Ahead of the Game is a free program for players (12 years-18 years), their parents and coaches. Funded by Movember and partnering with the AFL, Ahead of the Game has delivered 1000+ sessions and reached 18,000+ young players nationally in 2024.
Ahead of the Game provides young players with the tools to deal with life’s challenges, and the confidence to support their mates through tough times, whilst also empowering them to look after their own mental wellbeing. The program has been designed to have localised Delivery Partners come to community clubs to deliver at a time that suits during the season.
In 2025 Ahead of the game will have capacity to deliver up to 40 workshops in the Geelong & Colac regions.
Further information and to register your interest can be found here - https://play.afl/movember-ahead-game
Watch video about Ahead of the Game
