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Joy Grubb to be acknowledged with coaching honour

AFL Barwon is proud to announce that the Senior Netball Coach of the Year award has been named in honour of Joy Grubb, a true icon of netball whose dedication and commitment to the game have inspired generations of participants. Grubb's remarkable career, spanning several decades, has left an indelible mark on the netball community through her leadership, mentorship, and exemplary sportsmanship.

Renowned for her professional approach, Joy's ability to communicate effectively with her players and continually enhance her own qualifications and experience was a testament to her passion for the game and her subsequent success. Her coaching philosophy placed enormous value on building strong relationships, not only with her players but also with their families, fostering a deep sense of community and support within her teams.

A key aspect of Grubb's coaching was her emphasis on considered evaluation, encouraging players to learn from their own performances and target specific areas for improvement. Her focus on discipline, courage, and sportsmanship was not only a hallmark of her own career but something she instilled in her players, whose on-court performances reflected these same values.

Joy's long list of accolades further highlights her impact on the sport. She was named BDNA Coach of the Century and earned the prestigious title of Netball Victoria Coach of the Year in 1994. In 1995, she received the Netball Victoria State Distinction Award, followed by the Australian Sports Medal and Netball Victoria Life Membership in 2000. Her leadership was further recognized with the Vic Sports Regional Award for Sports Leadership in 2004, culminating in her induction into the Netball Victoria Hall of Fame in 2007.

AFL Barwon Chair, Michelle Gerdtz, expressed, “Joy dedicated a significant part of her life to netball in our region, profoundly influencing and positively guiding countless players. Her long-standing commitment to coaching made this decision an easy and clear choice in naming the award in her honour.”

The naming of this award after Joy Grubb is a fitting tribute to her lifelong contributions to netball, ensuring her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of coaches and players.

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The Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong sign partnership with AFL Barwon

AFL Barwon is very excited to announce that we have signed a 3-year partnership with Geelong’s newest leading CBD accommodation provider, The Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong.

The Official Hotel & Accommodation Partner of AFL Barwon, the Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong is located within walking distance of GMHBA Stadium Kardinia Park, and Geelong Arts Centre, it caters an as a perfect accommodation option for all guests.

The partnership will see The Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong hold the naming rights of the D Grade Netball Competitions across the Bellarine and Geelong Football Netball Leagues. The Holiday Inn logo will also be seen across all the Senior Male Football live streams where AFL Barwon have had more than 150,000 individual views over the previous two seasons.

Tegan Adamson, Marketing Manager of Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong, expressed her excitement about the new partnership, emphasizing the shared goal of strengthening community ties.

“We are really excited to be partnering with AFL Barwon, a collaboration that underscores our commitment to fostering community engagement. Together, we aim to support local initiatives and shine a light on the vibrant culture of Geelong and the greater Bellarine region. This partnership not only enhances our connection to the community but also empowers us to create lasting positive change”.

 AFL Barwon Region General Manager, Edward Wilson, reflected on the enthusiasm shown by Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong and the potential benefits of the partnership,

“AFL Barwon is humbled by the immense enthusiasm the Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong have exhibited in wanting to support our Football & Netball community across the region. We fundamentally believe in partnering with organisations that can deliver benefits to our community, and we’re excited by the potential this partnership has, to deliver value to all Clubs and community members” said AFL Barwon Region General Manager, Edward Wilson.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting the Barwon community and creating a positive impact throughout the region. AFL Barwon and The Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong are dedicated to offering strong community ties and promoting local engagement, making this partnership an exciting step forward for the region.

To see full experiences and opportunities that the Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong offers customers, simply go to www.holidayinn.com/geelong

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Local club fundraising opportunity through new CDS 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 becomes the Official Recycling Partner of AFL Victoria until the end of 2027 and it kicked off with the inaugural CDS Vic Club of the Year award being presented at AFL Victoria's annual community awards on Friday night.

Alexandra Football Netball Club took the honours for its efforts which have raised more than $14,000 for the local club through the scheme.

 CDS Vic provides the opportunity for Victorians to return eligible drink containers for a 10 cent refund at more than 600 refund points across the state through zone operators Tomra Cleanaway, Visy and Return-It. Containers are then processed to make new items, reducing waste and working towards a circular economy. 

Victorian local footy clubs wanting to register as a donation partner can do so today via cdsvic.org.au/fundraising, which has the step-by-step guide for clubs to follow.  

With the option to either keep your 10c refund or donate it, footy clubs across the state are already raising funds through the scheme. This partnership aims to increase the profile of the scheme and help more clubs to benefit. 

Since launching on 1 November 2023, more than 900 million containers have been returned across the state – returning up to $90 million to Victorians, including more than 250 football clubs already participating as donation partners.      

CDS Vic is part of the Victorian Government’s $515 million investment to transform the state’s waste and recycling sector. Funded by contributions from the beverage industry, the scheme is contributing to Victoria's target of diverting 80 per cent of all material away from landfill by 2030 and represents a significant milestone in our journey towards a circular economy, which commits to reusing and regenerating materials and products. 

Through the partnership, CDS Vic and AFL Victoria will work to incentivise local football clubs which recycle, and in return, raise funds for their community clubs by onboarding Victoria’s 1,040 clubs as official donation partners.

Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, expressed his excitement to be partnering with CDS Vic to create a positive environmental impact whilst providing clubs with additional funding opportunities. 

“Local footy clubs are the heartbeat of communities across Victoria and any program that will help clubs raise funds while having a positive impact on the environment is great for the grassroots game, which is one of the reasons why the partnership with CDS Vic has so much potential.

“The process of recycling eligible containers in return for refunds is a fantastic opportunity for our local clubs and their communities. Having both a positive impact on the natural environment, as well as on the health and sustainability of their footy club is a great outcome.

“Many clubs are ready to jump in and join the charge diverting eligible containers from your club canteens or events into the Container Deposit Scheme. We look forward to supporting clubs right around the state in their fundraising efforts.”

VicReturn’s Acting CEO Megan Toose said the partnership will help the scheme to grow across metro and regional Victoria. 

"Footy clubs are like the glue in their local community so it makes sense to grow our scheme with AFL Victoria.

“We are already hearing from participating clubs that the scheme has been a boon for their fundraising efforts as well as diverting waste from their local landfill. I am excited to see what we can achieve together over the next three years.”

How local football clubs in Victoria can get involved and raise funds

Victorian local footy clubs wanting to register as a donation partner can do so today via cdsvic.org.au/fundraising, which has the step-by-step guide for clubs to follow. 

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2025 Representative Netball Program Registrations

Are you ready to take your netball skills to the next level and be part of something special? Registrations for the 2025 AFL Barwon Representative Netball Program are now open.

AFL Barwon are committed to nurturing and showcasing the finest netball talent in the region. The Representative Netball Program provides netballers with a platform to shine on both regional and national stages. With a strong focus on skill development, sportsmanship, and teamwork, registering for the program is a great place to start if you are interested in taking your netballing journey to new heights.  

Trials Information

Dates - Sunday 10th, 17th and 24th November (Venue TBC)

Times -

  • 13&U: 8:30-10:15am
  • 15&U: 10:15-12:00pm
  • 17&U: 12:00-1:30pm

Registrations Close: Wednesday 6th November 2024.

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2024 AFL Victoria Community Football Awards winners

AFL Victoria has recognised outstanding contributors to the grassroots game at the annual AFL Victoria Community Football Awards, held at IKON Park last Friday. 

Australian Rules Football is driven by volunteers, coaches, umpires and administrators who are the heartbeat of the local game. Tens of thousands of people in Victoria dedicate significant time and effort towards ensuring the success of their clubs and communities.

 In 2024, Kellie Frazer from the Gordon Football Netball Club in Victoria was recognised as the WorkSafe Victoria Country Community Volunteer of the Year. Adding to that acknowledgment, Kellie also took out the 2024 Toyota AFL National Volunteer of the Year Awards' top national honour as the Toyota AFL Community Volunteer of the Year for her outstanding service to her club and community for the past 20 years.

The other Victorian winners to be recognised in the national awards were Olivia Ashcroft from Ringwood Football Netball Club, as the 2024 Young Leader of the Year for her state and nationally, as well as AFL Merit Award recipients Maree Williams (Shepparton Swans Football Netball Club) and Michelle Gerdtz (Chair of AFL Barwon Commission). 

The 2024 AFL Victoria Community Club of the Year award was won by Queenscliff Football Netball Club, which competes in the AFL Barwon FNL. 

Full list of 2024 AFL Victoria Community Football Awards winners below

 

COACHING

David Parkin Junior Coach of the Year

Dean Memedoski - Hume Bombers, Essendon District Football League

Stan Alves Youth Coach of the Year - Joint winners

Naomi Irvin - Ballarat FNC - AFL Goldfields, Ballarat Football Netball League

Stuart Farr - AFL Wimmera Mallee Youth Development Head Coach 

Peta Searle Female Coach of the Year

Tina Henshaw - Seaford JFC, AFL South East (Frankston District JFL)

 

Gerard Fitzgerald Senior Coach of the Year

Ashley Watson Rochester FNC - AFL Goulburn Murray (Goulburn Murray League)

 

GENERAL 

The CDS VIC Sustainability Award

Alexandra Football Netball Club - Outer East FNL

 

AFL Merit Award Recipients

Maree Williams - Shepparton Swans Football Netball Club, Goulburn Valley League *NATIONAL WINNER*

Michelle Gerdtz - Chair of AFL Barwon Commission *NATIONAL WINNER*

AFL Victoria Young Leader of the Year

Olivia Ashcroft - Ringwood FNC, Eastern FNL *NATIONAL WINNER*

AFL Victoria Metropolitan Community Volunteer of the Year

Jacqueline Bowshall-Tanner - President and Volunteer - Northern FNL (Kilmore Junior Football Club) *NATIONAL WINNER*

WorkSafe Victoria Country Community Volunteer of the Year

Kellie Frazer - President and Volunteer, Gordon Football Netball Club (Central Highlands Football League)

AFL Victoria Community Club of the Year

Queenscliff Football Netball Club - AFL Barwon

 

PARTICIPATION

AFL Victoria NAB Auskick Volunteer Award

Kim Tempest - South Belgrave Auskick Centre, Eastern FNL 

AFL Victoria Superkick Volunteer of the Year

David Cash - Oakleigh Superkick Centre, South Metro Junior Football League

AFL Victoria School Teacher of the Year

Daniel Saleh - Al Siraat College (Epping), Northern FNL 

AFL Victoria Diversity Ambassador of the Year

Beck Dean - Rumbalara FNC

AFL Victoria Disability Inclusion Ambassador of the Year

Ben Trevena - Echuca Moama Rockets All Abilities

 

UMPIRING 

Greg Sidebottom Memorial Umpire Coach of the Year

Sean Clarke - Eastern Football Netball League

AFL Victoria Male Development Umpire Coach

Lachlan Carney - South Metro Junior Football League

AFL Victoria Female Development Umpire Coach

Ashleigh Lovas - AFL Gippsland, Sale Umpires Association

AFL Victoria Community Umpire Manager of the Year

Andrew Moore - AFL Goulburn Murray 

AFL Victoria Golden Whistle Award

Adam Marrow - Southern FNL

AFL Victoria Umpiring Service Award

Bec Malseed - AFL Western District

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