I hope you are all well and looking forward to the final round of Home and Away!

Please find attached a finals information document which includes details in relation to the Finals series.

I have also recorded a video for you all, talking through this detail – see email.

A spreadsheet will be sent to all clubs to complete, nominating who their team bench officials will be for the finals series. We understand many teams will have a stable bench, so needing to provide this each week is not always necessary.

However, if there is a change to your submitted list – then no worries, please pop to the competition office, or email the AFL Barwon team through the week, and we can update this for you. Only those named on our lists will be permitted to sit on the bench.

SPREADSHEET FOR DOWNLOAD HERE

Due to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Monday 18^th August.

Starting Positions

While team selections will still be required by Wednesday of each week to enable us to type up position tracking sheets with qualified players, starting positions/line ups will be required to be selected in PlayHQ by 6pm the day before match day.

Again – if there are changes to this post this time, this can be communicated at the competition office.

All teams will still be required to ‘check in’ at the competition office, to run their names over their lists, and ensure all players are listed. From there, umpires will bring the paperwork to the score bench, for the independent scorer and check scorers.

While team selections will still be required by Wednesday of each week to enable us to type up position tracking sheets with qualified players, starting positions will be required to be selected in PlayHQ by 6pm the day before match day.

Again – if there are changes to this post this time, this can be communicated at the competition office.

All teams will still be required to ‘check in’ at the competition office, to run their names over their lists, and ensure all players are listed. 

From there, umpires will bring the paperwork to the score bench, for the independent scorer and check scorers.

All clubs would have received an email in relation to nominating their INTIX account for tickets to be distributed to. Thank you to those of you who have completed this step.

 Tickets will be issued early in the week for distribution amongst your members. Please ensure you give tickets to the correct teams for the correct days – Sunday tickets will not gain access for Saturdays and vice versa.

As the season draws to a close, it is now time for clubs to begin compiling their ACTUAL Player Payment Spend for the 2025 season. This reporting is due four weeks after your clubs final A Grade game.

As was required at the start of season for your budgets, clubs must complete the ACTUALS SPREADSHEET (linked) reflecting all payments made to A Grade players. This is part of your compliance requirements under the Allowable Player Payments Policies.

If you require support, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All resources, including the recording of the session at the beginning of the year, are available via the Netball Resources page on the AFL Barwon Website.

Please be reminded that all players must be in correct uniform. Correct uniform includes:

• Playing dress or approved alternate uniform
• Netball shorts/briefs

Socks (as nominated by your club – see page 181 of AFL Barwon Handbook)

This will be distributed on Monday and will include your allocated independent scoring duties. We try to allocate these within a game or two of your club’s fixtures – but sometimes this isn’t possible due to the composition. 

 (Please remember that independent duties are separate to check scorer duties – you will require a check scorer for each participating team!)

Finals are here! Congratulations to everyone for their efforts this season.

The fixture for Friday 29 August Semi-Finals has now been published on PlayHQ.

All games will be played at Kardinia Park with the following timeslots

• 4:40
• 5:35
• 6:40
• 7:45

Below is the link to access the fixture.

Team selection for all games is to be entered on PlayHQ by 12pm Wednesday. This is so AFL Barwon can pre-fill position tracking sheets for each team based on the team selection.

Teams must use the position tracking sheets provided by AFL Barwon

On game day, we kindly ask that a coach or team manager double check their team line up at the office. Any changes to the team list on game day will need to be signed off by an AFL Barwon official.

No player should be handwritten on a scoresheet except by an AFL Barwon staff member.

What a fantastic day we had for our 11&U Party Round!

A very big thank you to all the players, coaches, families and volunteers who helped make the day a success!

A big shout-out to all the teams for their fantastic posters and crazy socks, it was great to see so much team spirit on display.

If any teams still need to collect their certificates, please reach out to Caitlyn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A reminder as we approach finals that the correct uniform must be worn to take the court.

Player membership: Players registering to compete in our 2025/26 summer competition will be required to purchase a 2026 NVA/Netball Connect membership. 

The registration link for 2025/26 Summer Competition can be found below: Team entries are due C.O.B Monday 15^thSeptember

Coaching applications are now live AFL Barwon’s 2026 Representative Netball program. Please see the link below to submit your interest.

AFL Barwon are pleased to announce the trial dates for our 2026 Representative program

The trials will be held at Kardinia Park on the following dates:

• Sunday 12 October
• Sunday 19 October
• Sunday 26 October

Criteria:

In an attempt to improve the overall trial process and experience for all participants, trials will be open exclusively to players who competed in Division 1 or Division 2 teams throughout the season in either the BFNL or GFNL competitions.

This approach ensures a higher standard of competition during trials, helping selectors make more accurate assessments

By focusing on Division 1 and 2 athletes, we aim to create a more streamlined, competitive, and rewarding environment that reflects the intensity and demands of representative-level play.

To be eligible to trial, players must have played in a minimum of 4 games across the season

Exception:

11&U players moving up into 13&U

Players from Surf Coast Suns FNC and Armstrong Creek FNC 

Age group eligibility are as follows:

13&U- born in 2012 & 2013

15&U- born in 20120 & 2011

17&U- born in 2009 & 2009

The link to register for trials can be found below.

Any questions please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BFNL and GFNL Junior Netball Award nominations are now open! Below is a summary of all awards available to vote on.

DOW Primary Education Award (BFNL Only)
The purpose of this award is to encourage and support the further education, and development in the sport of netball, of a Primary age player within an affiliated Club.

Criteria:
· Age and status i.e. must have completed year 6 at Primary School and entering year 7 the following year
· Club orientation i.e. Contribution to the ideals / practices of the Club
· Self-motivation e.g. Attitude to training, participation in available courses
· Evidence of good sportsmanship
· Talent, and the likelihood of a significant future in netball
· The need for assistance toward the costs of secondary education. 

DOW Tertiary Scholarship (BFNL Only)

Dow Australia Pty Ltd has been a valued sponsor of the Bellarine Football Netball League since 1987.     

The purpose of this award is to encourage and support the further education, and development in the field of science of a junior age player towards their chosen professional career.

Criteria: 

• Age and status i.e. must be a year 12 student entering University in the following year
  · Evidence of good leadership
  · Self-motivation e.g. Attitude to training, participation in available courses
  · The need for assistance toward the costs of higher education
  · Must have ambitions of a future in one of the following careers: Science / Engineering OR Business / Commerce

Junior Coach Encouragement Award (BFNL & GFNL)

The Purpose of this award is to encourage, develop and support a young, aspiring coach.

Criteria:
▪ Hold a current Coaching Accreditation
▪ Hold a current pass in the Rules of Netball theory exam
▪ Needs to be the nominated Coach for a team, not an Assistant.
▪ Be of Junior age: Up to and including 19/Under.
▪ Be a financial member of a club affiliated with AFL Barwon.
▪ Be a financial member of Netball Victoria.
▪ Display the qualities of a good Coach (Arrives early to meet and greet players, Dresses appropriately, Keeps players interested and active during training and warm-up sessions, Can demonstrate and encourage correct skills and apply appropriate fault correction, Gives constructive feedback during training and matches.

 Junior Umpire Encouragement Award (BFNL & GFNL)

The purpose of the award is to encourage, develop and support young trainee / badged umpires who are members of a Club affiliated with the Bellarine Football Netball League.

Criteria:
- Completion Foundation umpire course and the rules of netball theory exam prior to or during the year of the award.
- The ability to umpire matches completely unsupervised.
- Willingness to umpire as and when requested by their Club, to dress appropriately, and to act responsibly as an umpire.

Please see the below links for to submit your nominations.

BFNL:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1D7rusd1loBRu52rm0haevqdHVMRk5HOCjKIijz4AQ1Y/edit

GFNL:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dlGhI3dq1M7byrwTJsOJU2Bjio_JWkdcSwOCYf-WS78/edit

Game Times and Fixture

This can be found published on PlayHQ via the following link: CDFNL Fixtures

 Team Entry

A reminder that teams MUST BE SELECTED BY 12pm Wednesday to enable us to type up position tracking sheets for the weekend. PLEASE ensure this is completed to support us in preparing for the weekend’s schedule.

Bench Personnel

Each team who will be playing in finals must submit their bench officials. Thanks to those of you who have completed this step.

These can be submitted via the following form: https://forms.gle/ZDuGiVNJGCDUqz7j9Skip any teams for which you do not need to submit officials for. 

Change Rooms

Mobile phone usage is not permitted in change rooms under any circumstances.

Child Safety Supervisors must be nominated for each team which has a junior competing within it – this applies to all junior teams, and senior teams with juniors participating

STRAPPING AND MASSAGE TABLES will not be permitted in the rooms – a separate area will be delegated for this.

Please be aware of your club’s child safety policies and legal obligations in this space.

• Everyone must pay the admission Fee. 
• Local council by-laws forbid taking ALCOHOL into public reserves. 
• It is a condition of Entry that bags & vehicles be inspected for illegal entry of alcohol.    
• Failure to comply with this request will result in the vehicle not being permitted to enter the reserve. 
• ALCOHOL is not to be consumed before 12 pm. 
• No Glass allowed. 
• Any alcohol detected entering any venue will be confiscated and will NOT be returned to the patron 
• Utilities or trucks with couches or lounge chairs on the back will not be permitted entry. 
• No Dogs Allowed
• Re-entry by pass-out stamp only

The purpose of the award is to encourage, develop and support young trainee / badged umpires who are members of a Club affiliated with the Bellarine Football Netball League.

Criteria:
- Completion Foundation umpire course and the rules of netball theory exam prior to or during the year of the award.
- The ability to umpire matches completely unsupervised.
- Willingness to umpire as and when requested by their Club, to dress appropriately, and to act responsibly as an umpire.

Please see the below links for to submit your nominations.

BFNL:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1D7rusd1loBRu52rm0haevqdHVMRk5HOCjKIijz4AQ1Y/edit

GFNL:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dlGhI3dq1M7byrwTJsOJU2Bjio_JWkdcSwOCYf-WS78/edit

These training sessions are to provide individuals with the opportunity to take part in an education component discussing the basic netball rules, before getting out on court to have a go at umpiring in a non-competitive environment with court side support from our mentors in the program.  

Participating in these sessions is one of the pre-requisites for all umpires prior to starting their umpiring journey within AFL Barwon competitions.  

Tuesday 2^nd September, Tuesday 16^th September 
4:30pm – 6pm
Kardinia Park 

Umpire Coordinators were asked at the start of the season to send through their rosters prior to or after each round had concluded. Collecting this information is to assist in best supporting umpire coordinators, the umpires and the mentors when visiting clubs and planning for 2026.

Thank you to the few clubs that have been sending through their umpire rosters weekly.