This year's National Inclusion Carnival, an annual showcase of the most talented male footballers with intellectual disabilities, featured representative teams from eight different States and Territories. The tournament began with a round-robin format where all eight sides faced each other in the initial two days of competition. As the event progressed, the teams were divided into two groups: Division 1, consisting of Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, and Vic Metro; and Division 2, comprising Queensland, Vic Country, Northern Territory, and New South Wales.

With the involvement of 3 players from AFL Barwon's All-Abilities League, Vic Country emerged as the champions of the 2023 Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival's Division 2 competition, securing their first title since their Division 1 victory in the inaugural National Inclusion Carnival in 2014. The thrilling Grand Final took place at Brighton Homes Arena in Queensland on October 13 with the team winning the Grand Final against Queensland with a decisive scoreline of 9.4 (58) to 4.1 (25).

The AFL Barwon players included Ash Dunscombe (Bell Park), Josh Gray (Newcomb), & Daniel Curnow (St Joseph's).

In the Division 1 Grand Final, Tasmania also made history with their first-ever Division 1 title win. This culminated from a miraculous come-from-behind victory against reigning champions South Australia. In hot and sunny conditions, Tasmania secured their victory with a dramatic last-minute goal, earned after a crucial 50-meter penalty, resulting in a final score of 5.4 (34) to 4.6 (30).

Joel Corbett from Tasmania and Jarrod Redcliffe from Vic Country were awarded as Best on Ground for Division 1 and Division 2, respectively. 

Full results and ladders from the carnival can be found here. 

Thursday October 12th saw the celebration of the 2023 AFL Barwon Community Awards Night. Held at GMHBA Stadium and hosted by Tom King, over 150 guests gathered to celebrate the extraordinary individuals who have had a profound impact on our AFL Barwon Community. This included the presentation of various administration, umpiring, coaching, training & club awards, aimed at recognising unwavering commitment and tireless effort of this year's award recipients. 

Selected through a public nomination process, here is the list of the 2023 AFL Barwon Community Award Winners:

Administration Awards

• Junior Netball Administrator of the Year - Melanie Maycock (Surf Coast Suns) 
• Senior Netball Administrator of the Year - Bernadette Walker (Geelong Amateur)
• Leon Schram Award Junior Football Administrator of the Year - Donna Jervies (Bell Post Hill)
• Senior Football Administrator of the Year - Melissa Pitt (Torquay)
• John Edsall Award Outstanding Service to Administration - Noel Hooley (South Barwon)

Coaching Awards

• Net Set Go Coach of the Year - Kathryn Sier (Modewarre)
• Junior Netball Coach of the Year - Karen Pole (Geelong Amateur)
• Youth Netball Coach of the Year - Claire Deretic (Drysdale)
• Senior Netball Coach of the Year - Jodi Patterson (Lara)
• Auskick Coach of the Year - Will Urquhart (Bell Post Hill)
• Junior Football Coach of the Year - Luke McNamara (Armstrong Creek)
• Rookie Me Youth Football Coach of the Year - Wayne Walsh (Ocean Grove)
• Rookie Me Female Football Coach of the Year - Matt Qoon (North Geelong)
• Peter Burke Award Senior Football Coach of the Year - Jai Smith (St Joseph's All-Abilities)

Umpiring Awards

• Netball Best First Year Umpire - Ella Brown
• Netball Best Up & Coming Umpire - Sophie Ford
• Netball Umpire of the Year - Emily Green 
• Football Best First Year Umpire - Jack McIntrye
• Football Best Up & Coming Umpire - Eli Edwards
• K Rock Football Umpire of the Year - Daniel Wilson

Trainer Awards

• Corio Bay Health Group Trainer of the Year - Callum Davey (Barwon Heads)

Club Awards

• Social Media & Communications Club of the Year - Queenscliff Football Netball Club
• Read The Play Mental Health & Wellbeing Club of the Year - Sherryn Ross/Queenscliff Football Netball Club

Service Awards

• Joshua Finch (Modewarre)
• Caitlin Hoiles (South Barwon)
• Olivia Cameron (South Barwon)
• Robert Hallett (AFL Barwon Commission)

Hamlan Hanger of the Year - Edward McCoy (Torquay)

Geelong Homes Goal of the Year - Tom Hornsey (Modewarre)

The Geelong Flyers are inviting players who were not part of the Flyers program in 2023 to register their interest for the 2024 squad.

Athletes are invited to register for a screening session to be held on Sunday 22nd October 2023. Players identified at this session will be invited to subsequent trials on the 29th of October & 12th November.

The screening session and subsequent trials will be held at the Wurdi Baierr Stadium, Surfcoast Hwy Torquay from 3.00pm - 5.00pm.

To register: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1121754 

AFL Barwon is proud to announce the shortlisted Coach, Trainer & Club Award nominees for the upcoming Community Awards Night 2023.  

The AFL Barwon Community Awards are designed to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who make our Club communities thrive. We are not only celebrating the dedication and passion of our coaches but also extending our gratitude to the tireless trainers, administrators, umpires & volunteers who are at the backbone of our community.

Purchase tickets to the 2023 AFL Barwon Community Awards Night HERE.

This year saw plenty of nominations which highlighted the remarkable achievements and admired skills of various individuals within the Club community, and the shortlisted nominees are listed below. 

Please be aware that not all awards have shortlisted candidates and consequently, we will be presenting awards for administration, umpiring, and other community categories at the Awards Night that are not listed in this article. 

Trainer Awards

Coaching Awards

 Club Awards