Show of sportsmanship wins AFL Barwon photo competition

AFL Barwon has announced the winner of its Community Photo Competition after months of submissions and reposting throughout its social media channels.

The randomly selected prize was awarded to team manager of the South Barwon Football Club’s senior female side Lisa Wilson.

Ms Wilson will receive a signed 2021 Geelong Cats jumper for her photo.

She took the photo on the final day of the 2021 season featuring smiling muddied players from both South Barwon and Barwon Heads female sides at the conclusion of their game.

“I quite often take my camera to games for the occasional shot here and there,” Ms Wilson said.

“We knew that on the day with the impending lockdown at the time that it was going to be final game of the season, so we really wanted the players to have a bit of fun and of course get the win, which we did.

“It was a very muddy field, so the girls had a bit of fun with that at the end of the game, and we wanted both sides to get involved. Even the coach got involved which everyone was happy to see.”

Ms Wilson believes the photo is the perfect embodiment of “sportswomanship and fun”.
“It was definitely surprising that I won the competition, but it makes perfect sense for the photo to be randomly picked,” Ms Wilson said.

“I certainly agree that the photo shows that female football is taking off and there are some very solid up-and-coming players, but there are also older players that are really getting in there and having a crack which is awesome.

“It’s definitely an exciting time to be in local women’s football.”

South Barwon Football Club prioritises physical and mental health first at their club, but over the last two years Ms Wilson has seen plenty of friendships blossom amongst the female ranks which she says will only continue to occur.

Ms Wilson still has not decided what her intentions will be with the signed Cats guernsey but has hinted at the possibility of passing it on to a deserving recipient at the end-of-year function.