Play Sport Barwon

16/06/2026

📊 Clubs and volunteers across the Barwon Region are already helping ensure the experiences of our region are represented in Regional Sport Victoria's 2026 Regional Victorian Community Sport Census.

So far, we've heard from 28 clubs and volunteers from across the Barwon Region providing valuable insights into the opportunities, challenges, and support needs impacting community sport locally.

Some common themes are beginning to emerge:
✔️ Growing pressure on volunteer time and capacity
✔️ Increasing administrative and operational demands on clubs
✔️ A need for practical support that responds to local challenges

These insights will help inform future support, advocacy, and club development initiatives both within our region and across regional Victoria.

To provide more clubs and volunteers with the opportunity to participate, the Census has been extended by one week.

⏳ The survey will now close on Sunday 21 June.

If your club hasn't had the opportunity to contribute yet, now is the time.

🤝 We'd also love the support of our local partners, including community stakeholders, in helping spread the word and ensuring clubs from across the Barwon region are represented.

👉 Complete the survey: https://regionalsportvictoria.snapforms.com.au/form/2026-regional-victorian-community-sport-census

Every response strengthens our understanding of community sport in the region and helps ensure local voices contribute to future decisions and support.

Surf Coast Shire Council Golden Plains Shire Council Colac Otway Shire Council

14/06/2026

As part of the AFL Junior Pathway Program, Travis and Luke were in Moama last week for the North Central Specialist Schools Gala Day.

The day commenced with a Disability Awareness training session for the local AFL Victoria staff. Following that, 4 Specialist Schools from Bendigo, Echuca, Cobram and Swan Hill played a series of AFL games against each other.

Thank you to all schools, their students and staff as well as the staff from AFL Victoria.

11/06/2026

Play Streets are coming to Winchelsea and we want to hear from you!

As part of the upcoming Play Street initiative, we're inviting local families, children and community members to share their ideas and help shape what a Play Street in Winchelsea could look like and where it should be held. Your feedback will help create a fun, safe and welcoming space where children of all abilities and their families can connect and play!

Hesse Rural Health is proud to be partnering with Surf Coast Shire Council and Leisure Networks on this exciting project, made possible through the VicHealth Healthy Communities Grant.

Complete the survey and have your say!
Survey link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/AudzJPVvz2

Learn more about Play Streets: https://www.playaustralia.org.au/1000-play-streets
Check out this video of another Play Street event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7nyQpWxby8

10/06/2026

Leisure Networks congratulates all individuals recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours with Order of Australia Awards for their outstanding contributions to sport.

This recognition is a wonderful celebration of the positive impact people make within their communities. It highlights the dedication, passion, and leadership shown across the sporting sector, and the powerful difference sport can have in bringing people together and strengthening community connections.

These honours are a reminder of the lasting impact that leaders in sport create every day.

• Rodney Bush for service to Basketball and the community.
• Pamela Davis Life Member Drysdale Football Netball Club.
• Kenneth Kinloch competed at Paralympics winning nine gold medals.
• Keith Pettigrew former coach Leopold Football Netball Club
• Catherine Remenyi member Torquay Surf Life Saving Club
• Graeme Stockton from Surfers Appreciating the Natural Environment (SANE) since 1991 (pictured)
• Jan Juc’s Geoffrey Thompstone has devoted more than 50 years to surf lifesaving through Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club and is a Surf Life Saving Victoria life member.

📷 Graeme Stockton walks out of the water with surfboard

02/06/2026

At our Parallel Sports Come & Try Wheelchair Cricket session, facilitated by the wonderful St Joseph's Cricket Club, participants rolled onto the court, picked up a bat, and discovered a whole new way to play.

St Joseph’s CC, who already run a fantastic all abilities cricket program, went above and beyond to adapt a fully wheelchair based session just for us.

One participant shared “It was wonderful to see how the games and skills were adapted for people of all abilities… It looked like everyone had a great day.”

Our next Parallel Sports Come and Try session will be held on Saturday 27th June. We have Geelong Archers coming to Try Boys Stadium who will set up targets and activities for us to try archery.

Cricket Victoria Leisure Networks Geelong Archers Cricket Australia

31/05/2026

Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria (BSRV), in partnership with Leisurelink , is piloting a 20-week Aqua Fit program designed for adults who are blind or have low vision.

Sessions will run in school term from 3 June until 11 November from 2.00pm-2.45pm. The first session includes a facility orientation prior to the Aqua Fit session starting. All fitness levels welcome and participants are encouraged to bring a support person or friends for no cost.

For more info on the program, contact Rachel via phone or email: 0493105800 or [email protected]

Registration via https://events.humanitix.com/lowvisionaqua

Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria

28/05/2026

Love this initiative from the Torquay Football Netball Club!

Three junior Aboriginal players led and designed a club footy guernsey and netball bibs, powerfully celebrating Country, culture and community while showcasing the importance of connection in local sport.

An inspiring example of inclusion in action. Well done to everyone involved!

Image: A group of Torquay girls football players stand together on a football oval wearing bright yellow indigenous guernseys as part of team photo.

Football Club Torquay Netball Club Leisure Networks

Torquay FNC celebrates Indigenous Round with custom guernseys designed by junior Aboriginal players to honor Country and community.

25/05/2026

This morning, Andrew and Gretta participated in a Smoking Ceremony at Booln Booln Cultural Centre.

National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June) is a time for people to reflect and learn about First Nation Cultures and consider how each of us can contribute to a more respectful and inclusive future. Importantly, this learning and commitment should not be limited to this week, it must continue everyday, guiding our actions year round.

Today's experience offered a profound connection to the Wadawurrung community, culture and Country.

We are grateful for the warm welcome and remain committed to continuing our journey towards reconciliation. 🖤💛❤️

Image: Andrew and Gretta take a selfie in front of a wooden entrance sign in the shape of a boomerang that reads "Booln Booln", with trees and a few people in the background.

25/05/2026

Congratulations Zoe!!

You're a true champion of the community, contributing so much to local sport and creating meaningful opportunities for participation through your incredible volunteering 👏🏼

Leisure Networks Cricket Victoria Torquay Tigers Cricket Club

To celebrate National Volunteers Week, Cricket Victoria would like to congratulate Zoe Lewis from Torquay Tigers Cricket Club, awarded Cricket Australia's Woolworths Cricket Blast Coordinator of the Year! 💛

Zoe has worked tirelessly to create a professional, engaging and inclusive environment for all young cricketers, helping foster a love for the game and create positive experiences, paving the way for the next generation of superstars 🏏💫

🗞️ Read more about Zoe's incredible impact: https://tr.ee/ulDKw6

Cricket Australia | PlayCricket

20/05/2026

A huge shout out to the thousands of club volunteers across the Barwon region! 🙌

As part of National Volunteer Week "Your Year to Volunteer", we proudly celebrate the contribution volunteers make in keeping community sport and active recreation thriving.

Community sport is powered by volunteers - the heart of every club. Without this dedication and passion, clubs simply couldn’t operate 💙

Across every role, big or small, the passion, effort and commitment shown is truly appreciated!