2024 saw the launch of the AFL North East Border Volunteer Recognition Program, proudly supported by one of our long standing partners, APCO! The program recognised 20 volunteers across the region each week throughout the footy season and will do the same once again in 2025. The categories include - Club Volunteer Umpire/Club Umpire Junior/Youth Coach Auskick Coordinator/Volunteer Clubs are welcome to nominate one of their hard working volunteers throughout the year, and if they are selected they will receive a $50 APCO voucher to use in an APCO store near you. Nominations can be submitted by clicking on the following link - VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION NOMINATION FORM

Two local football netball clubs are set to receive a funding boost to upgrade their lighting infrastructure through the Country Football Netball funding program! The Milawa Football Netball Club who compete in the Ovens & King FNL and Barnawartha Football Netball Club competing in the Tallangatta & District Football League will both receive funding through the Country Football Netball Program which through a partnership between the Victorian Government, AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria aims to support county football and netball clubs infrastructure improvements and developments. A total of 7 clubs across Victoria received funding in this round, and with two clubs successful in the North East it is a great outcome for football in the region and both clubs should be congratulated for the work they have put in to be successful! We look forward to seeing these projects come to life! For more information on the program and other success applicants please click here - https://play.afl/victoria/news/funding-boost-country-football-facilities?fbclid=IwY2xjawIx1hdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYxTMXDPhmQhLOMmUjo6YAkpXU-dFqKLUzVdYIegdiFK2xGe-yf-PgwBiA_aem_EdgEJ5XDtkeJH8VGU35rfA

2025 saw AFLNEB host there now annual Club Development Day which had a focus on upskilling those who are hands on during game days throughout the season! With over 45 attendees participating in three dynamic workshops - - Club Umpire Session, - Coaching Masterclass Session, and - Building Stronger Clubs Workshop - Our Community Club Leaders and dedicated Volunteers are now equipped with the resources and skills to tackle the upcoming season! Additionally, more than 25 Sports Trainers benefited from the Level 1 Sports Trainer Course, enhancing their expertise and readiness. Massive thank you to La Trobe University Albury-Wodonga for hosting us at their amazing campus! We wish all the clubs the best for the upcoming season and look forward to further supporting them with additional sessions throughout the year!

We are thrilled to announce that 4 leaders from our region have been successful to take part in AFL Victoria’s Lead Your Way Program this season. Selection for Lead Your Way was highly competitive, with over 150 applications submitted by leaders from all over the state, and only 60 places offered in this year’s program. We would like to congratulate the following successful applicants: Emma Carey (Co President, Beechworth Football and Netball Club) Tif Clare (Secretary, Centrals Junior Football Club) Emily Naish (Secretary, Greta Football & Netball Club) Leah Peters (Secretary, Mitta United Football Netball Club) The Lead Your Way program offers education and development for women and gender-diverse leaders at club committee, board, or executive level. Its goal is to increase the retention of women in leadership positions by enhancing skills, confidence, and knowledge while creating a supportive network. Participants will also benefit the broader community football landscape by bringing back valuable resources to improve the experiences of players, coaches, and volunteers at their clubs. On March 8th, the 2025 cohort will meet for the first time alongside alumni from the inaugural 2024 program, which includes total of 8 AFL NEB Region representatives. We look forward to hearing about your experiences in Lead Your Way, and to seeing the positive impact this program will have on you, your clubs, and the broader football community in AFL NEB Region. To find out more about the Lead Your Way Program, you can visit the homepage at Play.AFL https://play.afl/victoria/community-programs/lead-your-way

Following on from our December sessions, AFL North East Border and the Murray Bushrangers will be hosting two Murray Bushranger Coaching Experiences throughout March leading into the Coates Talent League season and Local Football seasons for 2025. The sessions will include – - A discussion with the Murray Bushrangers Coaching & Talent Staff - On field coaching experience - Summary of on field drills and scaling down for junior football - Skill development and craft session – opportunity for feedback on what topics or engagement coaches want in 2025 - Network opportunity with light refreshments provided Please select the session below that you would like to attend when filling out the registration form here - https://forms.office.com/r/djucccUEgj WANGARATTA Wednesday 12th March Venue - Wangaratta Showgrounds Time - 5pm arrival for a 5:30pm official start WODONGA Monday 24th March Venue - Wodonga Senior Secondary College Time - 5pm arrival for a 5:30pm official start

The Lead Your Way Program is back, giving women and gender-diverse people volunteering in community football leadership the opportunity to level up their skills and network. If you're a current committee-level volunteer at a community football club in our Metropolitan Leagues or Country Regions, this program is for you! Bronwyn McGorlick from the Wangaratta Rovers Female Football Club was a participant in 2024 and had this to say about the program - "It's been really great to connect with all the other leaders involved in footy. Sometimes you can be involved in your won club and not realise that there is this massive network of people out there, so I think that's been the best thing about it". For more info and to apply for 2025 please follow the link provided - Lead Your Way 2025

To check out the AFL North East Border August newsletter please follow the link below - https://mailchi.mp/2645ffcebd4b/afl-neb-monthly-newsletter-issue-882?e=67c8f3f41f

This course focuses on three key areas: Coach the Environment, Coach at Training, and Coach the Game. Coaches will learn essential skill acquisition principles, session design, game planning, and strategies for coaching on game day. Please see the link below for our Victorian offerings for the Elevate Your Coaching course: https://afl.androgogic.com.au/blocks/androgogic_catalogue/view.php?id=773 Please note that additional offerings will be added soon, including a session in North East Victoria.