AFL Barwon will have a significant restructure of its upper management and governance, including creating a board and a chief executive officer for the first time.
Earlier today (Wednesday, November 5), AFL Barwon announced the changes alongside AFL Victoria, which aim “to strengthen alignment between community football and netball competitions within the Barwon region”.
AFL Barwon, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria have been talking about a possible restructure for the past 12 months, and will further explain the new body, which does not yet have a confirmed name, at a meeting in Geelong next month.
Regional Administration Centres such as AFL Barwon were first introduced in response to the 2011 Peter Jackson Report, which recommended consolidating local league administration, umpiring, and game development into unified regional models.
“While the approach achieved varying degrees of success across Victoria,” AFL Barwon stated, “it became clear that this structure was increasingly difficult to sustain, especially given significant growth across both football and netball competitions in the Barwon region.”
“In recent years, AFL Victoria has increased its focus toward participation growth, game development, and community engagement, recognising RAC models — centred on consolidated administration — may no longer be the most eMective framework for delivery of these priorities, as well as increasingly complex football and netball league operations and locally focused strategic initiatives.”
The reform will establish clearer responsibilities between AFL Victoria’s strategic governance role and local operations of Leagues, ensuring that football and netball in the region remains strong, sustainable, and community-led.
Recruiting the first CEO to manage league functions is part of this transition.
Recruitment for the role has now begun, with the successful candidate to begin in January 2026 and to report directly to the newly constituted board.
The AFL Victoria Region Manager position for Barwon will continue but change “to align with the AFL Victoria governance and priorities”, with Lisa Patterson to remain in the role and lead regional governance and strategic alignment under AFL Victoria.
The organisation will remain responsible for the delivery and management of the Bellarine and Geelong football and netball leagues and key regional competitions, as well as providing administrative and operational support to the Geelong & District Football Netball League and the Colac and District Football Netball League through existing service agreements.
Constitutional amendments to lock in the changes will be put forward at AFL Barwon’s annual general meeting in February 2026.
A town hall meeting will be held on December4, at a time and venue to be confirmed.