Zac Hedin • October 8, 2024
AFLNEB Regional Facilities Strategy
To grow and sustain football and netball in its heartland, the AFL North East Border (AFL NEB) region requires a coordinated approach to enhance the quality and inclusivity of its facilities by 2034.
The Regional Football and Netball Facilities Strategy aims to identify AFL NEB’s future needs through evidence-based insights and extensive stakeholder engagement.
The Strategy’s objectives will deliver more welcoming, fit for purpose and accessible environments for football and netball over the next 10 years.
AFL NEB supports all formats of football and netball – from grassroots and introductory programs, female football and flexible participation opportunities across its many facilities.
As evidenced within this report the condition of the region’s infrastructure falls significantly behind the rest of Victoria, which limits what AFL NEB
can achieve. AFL North East Border is falling below the Victorian average for facility condition and compliance. This extends to playing surfaces, sports lighting and player and umpire change rooms.
Alongside poorer facility provision, the region also faces macro challenges including a changing and aging population and volunteer stress and decline.
The Regional Football and Netball Facilities Strategy presents a framework to deliver infrastructure improvements that are both aspirational and achievable, and to help AFL and Netball Victoria reach their national and statewide goals.
Whilst the Strategy will predominantly focus on infrastructure outcomes, game development initiatives will also be highlighted to support and justify decision making and assist facility activation.
The Strategy has been developed by AFL Victoria in consultation with AFL NSW/ACT, Netball Victoria, all region Local Government Authorities (LGAs), Football and Netball Leagues, NSW and Victorian Governments and Sport North East. AFL NEB will rely on the support of these stakeholders in the delivery of the Strategy’s recommendations.
The Strategy includes club-based netball participation and facilities only. It does not include association-based netball.
To view the full strategy please follow the link HERE.
This pre season Nines is coming to the OKFNL. A great opportunity for OKFNL clubs to connect with local junior footballers and introduce them to their club ahead of the 2026 season. Local OKFNL clubs can enter teams of 9-12 players, with prizes and giveaways for clubs who attract the most junior footballers, most registrations across teams and team spirit on the day! When - Sunday 16th of November Where - Wareena Park, Wangaratta Time - 10am to 4pm Cost - $350 per team (approx $35 per player) Ages - 16+ For more information on Nines you can check out all the details here - https://play.afl/play/afl-nines To enter a team or find out more please contact Daniel Saville (OKFNL Ops Manager) - okfnloperations@gmail.com
The 2025 North East Border V Line Cup teams have been selected, with Division One and Two boys teams and the girls teams preparing to compete in Ballarat. AFL North East Border would like to thank all the coaches and support staff who have been working tirelessly over the past two months preparing the squads to compete at the carnival in Ballarat on the 23rd and 24th of September. The NEB teams will compete against the Goulburn Murray teams on Tuesday the 23rd at Mars Stadium, before taking on the Greater Western Victoria teams on Wednesday 24th at City Oval. Please check out the AFLNEB Facebook and Instagram pages to follow the action!
Ben has been involved with the local Wangaratta Auskick centre for five years and the coordinator for four of those, the exciting announcement was announced at the allocation night for Auskickers graduating to the Wangaratta and District Junior Football League in front of local Auskickers, parents and local WDJFL Clubs. The prize for the award is a grand final weekend experience including three nights' accommodation in Melbourne, a ticket to the Welcome to Melbourne function, attendance at the grand final parade, and a reserve seat ticket to the 27 September grand final. Over his time, Ben has secured significant sponsorship for the program; has initiated the all-girls' group; provides a support network for smaller centres across Wangaratta and surrounding regions; contributes to community events like allocation night and puts in a heap of extra work with the allocation process; organises half-time Auskick games at local football league matches; and, of course, the countless hours spent organising jumpers, certificates, equipment and everything in between, year after year. Wangaratta is regularly one of the biggest centres in the state, if not the nation, and this year was the biggest in Victoria. That, as you can imagine, makes it almost a full-time commitment, year-round. A huge congratulations to Ben from everyone at AFLNEB!
