General Updates
Join us at Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong on Wednesday, November 12th, for an evening dedicated to celebration, appreciation, and the recognition of outstanding contributions to football and netball.
The AFL Barwon Community Awards were created to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who make the AFL Barwon community thrive. Whether you’re a passionate supporter, a committed coach, a devoted umpire, or a selfless volunteer, the AFL Barwon Community Awards is your opportunity to come together and applaud the exceptional achievements of the year.
Tickets are $25 which includes canapés and a welcome drink upon arrival for all guests.
Tickets can be purchased from the below link.
AFL Barwon has confirmed key dates for the 2026 season across its senior football and netball competitions, promising another exciting year of community sport.
The Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) will kick off on Saturday, 18 April, with the season culminating in the Grand Final on Friday, 25 September. Notably, Leopold v St Joseph’s will again be played at Lorne on Easter Saturday, continuing a popular tradition.
The Bellarine Football Netball League (BFNL) starts earlier, with Round 1 on Saturday, 4 April, and the Grand Final scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.
The Colac & District Football Netball League (CDFNL) will have a slightly adjusted schedule. Alvie v Irrewarra-Beeac will kick off on Saturday, 28 March, bringing their Round 4 fixture forward, while two Good Friday games —Lorne v Apollo Bay and Colac Imperials v Alvie will also be played. All other CDFNL clubs will start their season on Saturday, 11 April, ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday, 19 September.
Fixture requests have been sought from clubs to support the commencement of fixtures to be created.
Start dates for all other AFL Barwon competitions, including Senior Female Football, All Abilities, Junior Football and Netball, will be communicated in the coming weeks.
The confirmed dates for the upcoming Annual General Meetings are as follows:
Bellarine Football Netball League (BFNL) and Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL)
AGM Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Time: Geelong FNL (6.00pm), Bellarine FNL (6.30pm)
Format: Virtual (meeting link and agenda will be distributed closer to the date)
AFL Barwon AGM
The AFL Barwon Football & Netball Commission AGM will be held on Wednesday 25 February 2026.
Please note the AFL Barwon office will be closed on the following dates:
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Friday, October 31
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Monday, November 3
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Tuesday, November 4
Staff hours may vary across this period, and responses may be delayed accordingly.
We are seeking nominations from clubs for BFNL & GFNL Life Membership.
The criteria for nomination for Geelong FNL or Bellarine FNL Life Membership are that the nominee must have:
- held the position of Football Club President, Secretary or Treasurer with 10 years accumulated service in any of the three roles. This would also include service for a continuous period in a combination of any of the three positions or
- provided 15 years continuous service directly for either league or
- held the position of chairperson of Netball section of a Club serving for 10 continuous years
- and offered the service voluntarily
To nominate, please fill in the below form.
AFL Barwon are seeking an enthusiastic, and motivated person(s) to coordinate the AFL Barwon Junior Netball midweek competitions.
The Netball Competition Coordinator is primarily responsible for managing and coordinating all onsite venue requirements for the AFL Barwon Junior Netball midweek competitions. The AFL Barwon Junior Netball competitions are run across Tuesday and Friday evenings at multiple venues.
The successful applicant will be responsible for liaising with key stakeholders, clubs, netball umpires, AFL Barwon staff and other valuable groups present at our midweek competitions.
Commercial Partnerships
AFL Barwon Clubs have exclusive access to the Gilbert Club Web Shop where members receive special benefits and offer when they register.
Sign up today via the button below with your club email and get set up for the season with Gilbert.
Geelong Cats are excited to share an exclusive ticketing offer to AFL Barwon Junior Clubs to the Round 12 match of the 2025 NAB AFLW Season, Geelong v Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium with a special discounted rate of $5 Adult General Admission tickets.
Kids under 18 have FREE entry.
Club Development
2025 Junior and Youth Girls Uniform Grant
The AFL, thanks to Fanatics, has launched the 2025 Junior and Youth Girls Uniform Grants Program – with a share in $250,000 available to support uniforms for junior and youth girls. Clubs and Umpires
Clubs can apply for up to $3,000, while Leagues can apply for up to $10,000 to provide specially cut uniforms helping girls feel comfortable, confident, and included on the field.
Applications open 27/10/25 and close at 11.59pm on the 24/11/25
Apply now at https://afl.smartygrants.com.au/junioryouthgirlsuniformgrant2025
Video here - https://play.afl/clubhelp/women-girls/grants
SRV Regional All Abilities Participation Grants
Supports grassroots sport and active recreation clubs and community-based not-for-profit organisations, to enable ongoing, sustainable, and meaningful participation for people with disability in regional Victoria.
Grant amount: up to $25,000 / category. Open: October 1 2025 / Close: 19 November 2025.
For more information - All Abilities funding
Local Sports infrastructure Fund
The Victorian State Government has recently announced the opening of their Local Sports Infrastructure Fund for 2025/26.
This program has 3 funding streams available for funding each with a different maximum grant amounts available.
- Community Facilities
- Lighting
- Planning
As per any Sport and Recreation Victoria Facilities grant, only LGA's are eligible to apply, with applications closing at 5pm, 2 December, 2025.
Can I encourage you to reach out to their Local council contact to discuss any projects that fit the criteria.
Our recommendation is that these discussions should occur sooner rather than later, as most LGA's will formalise a list to present to Sport and Recreation Victoria prior to starting any applications.
SRV 2026-27 Country Football Netball Program
The current round of SRV Country Football Netball Program is open and will close at 5pm Thursday February 26, 2026
See the Link for more information on this State Government program (up to $250k per LGA).
This program is available to AFL Victoria Country affiliated clubs with only LGA's are eligible to apply. Clubs are encouraged to speak to their local council contact to discuss potential projects that may be eligible for submission in either of the two available SRV funding programs.
Sporting Club Grants Program
The Sporting Club Grants Program provides access to funding to address barriers in participation, develop safe and sustainable practices and build social and active local communities. There are a range of program outcomes including the ability to implement good governance practices or purchase uniforms.
Open: 23 October 2025. Close: 26 November 2025.
For more information and to apply refer here
Registrations are now open for sporting clubs and organisations to become a Get Active Kids Activity Provider ahead of round 9 of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program, opening in October clubs and sporting organisations can register as a provider, which allows families to sign up their kids by used the voucher up front and reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
Important Dates
- Round 9 applications open: 10am 15th October 2025
- Round 9 applications close: 13 November 2025 (or earlier if the budget allocation is fully exhausted)
- Voucher expiry date: 31 December 2025
Any queries regarding these articles can be directed to:
Tim Secombe
AFL Barwon Club Development Lead
0417 665 173
Coaching
Coach Accreditations open for Season 2026 from November 1, please find below document outlining required steps for NEW & RETURNING community coaches to register for upcoming season along with coach support & education offerings available to you and your club. AFL Victoria Coach Renewal & Community Club Education.
A range of offerings are available for coaches to upgrade
their current accreditation status over the upcoming
post-season period is now available and can be found below
Football
In accordance with Section 3.3(b) of the AFL Victoria Handbook, the November Transfer Period will be in effect in 2025 ahead of the 2026 community football season.
The AFL Victoria Handbook stipulates that Player Transfer Requests may be lodged between 12:01am (AEST) on 1 November and 11:59pm (AEST) 30 November in the calendar year preceding the relevant season, or between 12:01am (AEST) on 1 February and 11:59pm (AEST) 30 June in the calendar year of the relevant season.
