Times News Group, AFL Barwon announce media partnership

AFL Barwon has announced a three-year partnership with the Times News Group, strengthening the connection between football and netball and the wider Barwon region community.

This partnership will see the Times News Group become an official media partner of AFL Barwon, providing extensive coverage of local football and netball across its range of publications, including the Geelong Times, Surf Coast Times, Bellarine Times, Golden Plains Times, and Armstrong Creek Times.

The Times News Group will be the home of the emerging players of AFL Barwon’s football and netball competitions, holding the naming rights of the Rising Star Awards for the Geelong FNL and Bellarine FNL football and netball competitions, and the Senior Female Football competition.

Monthly nominees will be selected from these competitions throughout the season, with winners announced at the end of season awards events.

The Times News Group’s commitment to emerging underage sport will also include branded match day footballs for all Under 18 male competitions, plus naming rights for the Under 18 Division 3 and Under 18 Division 4 competitions.

Times News Group managing director Warick Brown said it was important to provide a platform for young athletes.

“Times News Group is excited about partnering with AFL Barwon to highlight the talented rookies in both local Bellarine FNL, Geelong FNL football and netball, and female football.

“Being able to showcase the talent we have in our own backyard, is a testament to not only the own individual’s time and effort needed to excel in their chosen sport, but also how clubland harnesses and promotes a great health and wellbeing environment for the youth in our community”.

The Times News Group will also provide a half-page of editorial space for each of AFL Barwon’s Geelong FNL and Bellarine FNL clubs in their geographically associated Times News Group publication.

This initiative will provide clubs with a platform to highlight their achievements, promote key events, and share important updates with their local communities.

“AFL Barwon is appreciative of the enthusiastic engagement with the local community that Times News Group has demonstrated for an extended period, and we’re proud to partner and amplify these channels, to better promote our affiliated Clubs, and the communities they call home,” AFL Barwon regional general manager Edward Wilson said.