AFL Barwon are pleased to announce that the 17th-19th February 2025, will represent a revamped pre-season “GamePlan” engagement, now the “Club Education Week”. 

AFL Barwon has been conscious of taking on feedback from recent GamePlan engagements, to ensure the pre-season education and support of all Clubs evolves. 

The evenings of February 17-19 will include webinars hosted by AFL Barwon on the following topics, but not limited too: 

• Football Match Day Operations; 
• Netball Player Points and Salary Cap
• Panel Umpires and Development Mentors
• PlayHQ Training for Football & Netball 
• CCSP Seminar; 
• Football Umpiring; 
• Junior Football; and 
• Club Development sessions. 

More information will be provided in January 2025 on session timings and a face-to-face engagement in March, to build on the Club Education Week.  

We are looking forward to delivering this revamped engagement in 2025. 

AFL Victoria are leading the annual Regional Satisfaction Survey and we invite all Clubs to submit a response of feedback to enable AFL Barwon & AFL Victoria to adequately prepare for 2025. 

Your time and comments are greatly appreciated, and you can complete the Survey via the link below: 

AFL Victoria Regional Satisfaction Survey 

A reminder to please complete your Club Contacts for the upcoming season. 

The AFL Barwon Commission are seeking nominations for the 2025 BFNL and GFNL Number 1 Ticket Holder(s).

The Number 1 Ticket Holder is a prestigious honour that is bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies outstanding support, dedication, and passion for their respective league.

We are seeking nominations for the following awards to be named in a bid to acknowledge outstanding service and achievements.

Football

• Bellarine Football Netball League Seniors Best on Ground in a Grand Final
• Geelong Football Netball League Seniors Leading Goal Kicker
• Bellarine Football Netball League Seniors Leading Goal Kicker 
• U18 Male Football Div 1 Best on Ground in a Grand Final
• U18 Male Football Div 2 Best on Ground in a Grand Final

Netball

• Geelong Football Netball League A Grade Netball Best on Court in a Grand Final
• Bellarine Football Netball League A Grade Netball Best on Court in a Grand Final
• Geelong Football Netball League A Grade Netball Best and Fairest
• Bellarine Football Netball League A Grade Netball Best and Fairest
• Geelong Football Netball League A Grade Netball Hot Shots
• Bellarine Football Netball League A Grade Netball Hot Shots

Author - Lisa Patterson
ATT: Female Football Coordinators & Club Presidents

The following correspondence was sent to Female Football Coordinators & Club Presidents last week along with a meeting invite.

Hello Clubs,

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year period! 

Thank you to those who have provided feedback on the back of fixtures being released for Female Football in 2025.

As mentioned in the release email, I wish to hold further consultation with clubs to discuss how we can collaboratively work together to ensure the change of Day of Play for female football in 2025 is a success and does not pose any undue stress on volunteers at club level. 

I acknowledge that some clubs have already raised the discussion item of game times which will form part of the agenda to ensure we can work through this as a group.

This is an exciting time for the female competition within the Barwon Region. and as such it is crucial that we conduct this session with a 'whole club' representation in a respectful and inclusive manner which we will facilitate at AFL Barwon Headquarters.

Details:

• When: Wednesday 29^th January 
• Where: AFL Barwon - 204 Roslyn Road, Highton
• Time: 6:00pm start to approximately 8:00pm
• RSVP: Friday 24^th January

If you can please confirm your attendance for this discussion that would be appreciated.  This meeting is for Club Presidents and Female Football Coordinators.

I look forward to working with you all collaboratively to set the 2025 season up for success .

Kind regards,

Lisa (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

As you prepare for the 2025 Season, keep an eye on the PlayHQ training web page where they will add registration links to upcoming webinar training sessions to help upskill club admins and team managers. 

AFL Barwon are looking to include the details of any netball club trials being held next year on the AFL Barwon website. 

This could be a great way to assist participants in finding a club to play at for the upcoming season. 

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the following details, we will include on the website accordingly. 

• Date(s) 

• Time(s) 

• Venue(s) 

• Grade(s) 

ATT: Club Umpire Coordinators and Umpires 

Umpire Jackets – LINK TO PURCHASE 

The jackets will be available every order window 1-7th of each month from October – June of each year. 

Next order window is February 1st – 7th 

Umpire T-shirts – LINK TO PURCHASE 

Stock for this item is held regularly, so orders can be placed at any time. 

Umpire Shorts and Skirts 

Stock for this item is held regularly, so orders can be placed at any time. 

Net Set Go has been released for 2025, meaning you can all start setting up your programs. 

Don’t forget to fill out the form from Netball Australia to have your Organisation approved and they will allow the Net Set Go membership to be an option for you.  

It’s a very quick process, they’re usually on top of it quite speedily! 

As practice matches are approaching hard and fast, we have created a form to support in engaging umpires to support these matches. 

Please complete the below form should you be seeking umpires for any upcoming practice matches. 

These training sessions are to provide individuals with the opportunity to take part in an education component discussing the basic netball rules then 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 one of these sessions is one of the pre-requisites for all umpires prior to starting their umpiring journey within AFL Barwon competitions. 

• Tuesday 28th Jan 
• 4:30pm 
• Kardinia Park

We still have one coaching position to fill for the AFL Barwon 2025 Representative Program. 

The coaching position available is for the Bellarine FNL 15&U Development team. This position would be a fantastic opportunity for any up & coming netball coach, with exposure to high levels of netball and through weekly competition and pathway opportunities through Association Championships. See a brief overview of the role below. 

• Monday nights: GCNA’s Junior Competition at Kardinia Park. Runs throughout Semester 1 2025 

• Wednesday nights: training night, times to be determined between coach and team. 

• Association Championships:  

• Central West qualifying day: tournament on Sunday 25th May at Darebin Netball Association 

• Finals Day (if successful): Sunday 29th June at State Netball Centre 

Please note, this person would need to obtain a Development Coaching Accreditation prior to Association Championship in May.

Head to link below and apply ‘AFLBARWON’ in the ‘enter promo code’ to unlock $10 adult tickets and $5 junior tickets for this weekend’s game.   

The Geelong Cats have presented their 2024 Social Impact Report.

The report reflects on the achievements, initiatives, and contributions that they have made a meaningful impact in the community through strategic partnerships, innovative programs, and their staff.

Applications for Lead Your Way 2025 are now open!

Lead Your Way – presented by AFL Victoria – is calling on women and gender-diverse leaders from community football clubs in (league or region) to level up your skills and network in 2025!

If you are a current committee member at your club, apply before January 27 2025 to Lead Your Way next year!

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, 2025, Location in Geelong TBA. 

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 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and/or the Prep-to-Play team (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with any questions regarding the above information. 

On the 06/12/2024 a AFL Barwon child Safeguarding email update which included a survey was sent to Presidents & Secretaries of all Clubs asking where you see your club at in relation to Child Safeguarding obligations & compliance.

Just a gentle reminder that we require a response by the 31/01/2025. Thank you.

AFL Victoria is proud to announce an unmissable Coaching Forum this March 2025, designed to elevate your coaching skills and knowledge. Whether you're an experienced coach or just starting out, this forum is the perfect chance to hear from some of the best in the industry, including keynote speakers, top coaches, educators, and mentors. As well as build your coaching community by connecting and sharing insights with other coaches.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Informative sessions & professional development
• Gain firsthand knowledge from AFL experts and coaches (Nathan Buckley, Sam Mitchell + more to come)
• Interactive workshops
• Earn valuable points towards your coaching progression
• Connect with other coaches, share insights, and build your coaching community.

A warm welcome to our recently appointed new football coaches, please don't forget to register by following the below link.

More to come on 2025 coaching workshops, including the coach induction workshop coming soon

Telstra Footy Country Grants

Local footy clubs across the country can apply for Telstra Footy Country Grants, a partnership between the AFL and Telstra that will deliver $2m per year for a four-year period to community football.

More information HERE.

Ahead of the Game - Youth Mental Health Opportunity

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 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azNYnVgXL6s