AFL Barwon welcomes return of winter sport

ALMOST 1,500 senior football team sheets will be submitted to AFL Barwon over the course of this season and the first ones are already filed.

After a long summer, winter sport has finally arrived, and the first games of the season are ready to begin with Good Friday football and netball.

This year AFL Barwon will welcome 25,000 participants to the court and field.

That translates to more than 700 senior men’s and women’s football games, more than 1,000 senior netball games and at least 5,000 umpire appointments to officiate those games.

And that is without considering the thousands of junior players in uniform each weekend.

It is a huge job to get everyone playing but one that AFL Barwon chief executive Kate Patterson said is done with heart.

“The amount of work that happens behind the scenes to get thousands of people ready to take the court and field across the Barwon region is mind blowing,” Patterson said.

“It is a massive whole-of-community effort, and we’re just so grateful for everyone who makes it all possible, particularly our incredible clubs and my team at AFL Barwon.”

Patterson said her team has been working around the clock to get things ready for the season to begin, all while welcoming her into her new role.

She met with club captains at St Mary’s Sporting Club on Sunday at the official launch of the 2026 Geelong Football Netball League (GFNL) and Bellarine Football Netball League (BFNL) senior seasons.

While more than 50 clubs compete within AFL Barwon junior and senior competitions, one new club was in attendance.

The introduction of the Surf Coast Suns into the Bellarine Football League marks a significant milestone for debutants.

“I remember when the Surf Coast Suns brand first emerged a few years ago. What they’ve achieved in such a short time is phenomenal, and I’m loving everything I’ve seen so far,” Patterson said.

“You can feel this huge sense of optimism and positive energy in any interaction with the club. It’s not every day a new club enters these competitions – in fact, it’s the first time in 41 years a new club has joined the BFNL – so it’s a very special moment for all involved.”

The first BFNL games will be played between Ocean Grove and Anglesea and Geelong Amateurs and Modewarre on Good Friday with plenty of football and netball action across the Easter long weekend.

St Joseph’s and Leopold will open the GFNL season with a one-off game day in Lorne on Good Friday. The rest of the GFNL will begin play the following week.

The Colac and District Football Netball League has a split opening round with two games played on Good Friday before the rest of the season begins on April 11.

With games beginning from Easter, several Anzac Day clashes and plenty of community themed rounds to come, this year is expected to be a big one.

“You can really feel the energy, not just from the players but from the whole community around our competitions,” Patterson said.

“There’s nothing better than seeing courts and ovals across our region packed with competition, regardless of age, gender or division.”