Greater Shepparton City Council, AFL and AFL Goulburn Murray are excited to announce that Shepparton will be one of three regional locations in Victoria to host an AFL JLT Community Series Match. Deakin Reserve will host the 2017 premiers Richmond to take on Melbourne on Sunday 3 March 2019 . Greater Shepparton City Council Chief Executive Officer, Peter Harriott said he was eager to see the two teams kick off on the local field. “Personally, as a diehard Richmond supporter, I can’t wait to see the Tigers play right here in my home town,” Mr Harriott said. “We in Greater Shepparton are extremely proud of our premier ground, Deakin Reserve. And it is due to the nature and standard of the facilities and quality of the ground that we have been selected to host a 2019 JLT Community Series AFL match.” With the announcement Greater Shepparton continues to be recognised as Australia’s regional sporting capital as we have once again been selected to host an AFL pre-season competition match. Region General Manager for AFL Goulburn Murray Jamie Macri said it would provide a members of the community with a unique sporting experience. “We’re proud to welcome AFL football to the region, and it is a wonderful opportunity for country people to see and mix with AFL players,” Mr Macri said. “Shepparton is in a great geographical location to host a AFL JLT game. “Deakin Reserve is a premier sporting facility that can hold up to 10,000 people.” Council hopes this experience will encourage young athletes to pick up a football. “Hosting professional sport at this elite level in a regional area serves as an inspiration to showcase to young boys and girls what they can aspire to through hard work, commitment and discipline, as we continue to see the growth of AFL and AFLW regionally and nationally,” Mr Harriott said. The 2016 AFL NAB Challenge match between Essendon vs Geelong held at Deakin Reserve saw 6,000 in attendance, with game day contributing $500,000 to the Greater Shepparton economy. Council truly values the strong working relationship we have with the AFL and AFL Goulburn Murray, and we look forward to continuing to work with both organisations to ensure the success of the 2019 JLT Community Series AFL match.  

AFL Victoria is pleased to announce that AFL Goulburn Murray and Greater Shepparton City Council have been selected to host the 2019 V/Line Cup. Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Kim O’Keeffe and a V/Line representative joined AFL Goulburn Murray Region General Manager Jamie Macri at Shepparton train station today to officially welcome the state’s premier junior regional carnival. Held annually, the V/Line Cup carnival brings together the most talented male and female regional footballers to go head-to-head against the top performers in their age group. In addition, the V/Line Cup also provides an important development pathway for talented up-and-coming umpires across Victoria, who are part of the V/Line Umpire Academy. Since moving the V/Line Cup carnival to regional Victoria in 2015, the event has generated over $9million in economic impact to the Latrobe City Council, where the event has been held for the past four consecutive seasons. Mr Macri said the region was delighted to be chosen to host the state’s best Under 15 and Under 16 players and top regional umpires. “AFL Goulburn Murray is thrilled to be able to host the V/Line Cup carnival, which has fast become a favourite on the football calendar and an important part of the talent pathway for both umpires and players,” he said. “The AFL Goulburn Murray Commission and Greater Shepparton City Council are both extremely supportive of this event and have committed significant resources and support to making this event a success within the Greater Shepparton area. “We’re proud to welcome the next generation of football talent to our region, and look forward to hosting them at some of our premier sporting facilities.” Greater Shepparton Mayor, Cr Kim O’Keeffe is excited at the prospect of securing this elite junior AFL event to the region. “Hosting this event is a massive coup and continues our tradition of hosting high profile AFL events in partnership with our partners AFL Victoria and AFL Goulburn Murray,” Cr O’Keeffe said. “Council strives to attract the biggest and best events to Greater Shepparton boosting employment, tourism, entertainment and liveability for our community. Our teams are working hard creating jobs, keeping business busy and the economy strong and this event will be a great showcase of this with over $2 million injected into Greater Shepparton.” In 2018, the V/Line Cup saw more than 550 of the most talented regional footballers and umpires showcase their skills, with eight girl’s teams and 14 boy’s teams lacing up the boots in the four-day development carnival.    

Don’t Forget Nominations close for  the  2019 AFL Goulburn Murray Junior Netball Academy this Friday 2nd November at 5pm. No late nominations will be accepted. Selected Academy participants will commence training in Feb. 2019 Please find attached a copy of the Information Booklet AFL-Goulburn-Murray-Academy-Information-Booklet-2019 Any queries please contact Peita at AFL GM on 5823 9800

In 2019 AFL Goulburn Murray will commence a development program for young netballers from across the region. The Junior Netball Academy is an elite netball development program, an initiative from AFL Goulburn Murray to assist in the development of players from across the region. In 2019 a netball program will be ran for 12 and 13 year old players who will receive a 12 week specialist netball program. The Academy Program consists of training sessions that will  incorporate training, skill development, game sense, recovery, strength and conditioning, as well as educational sessions to develop these young players to achieve and be prepared for a higher level of Netball.  The netballers will trial and be selected for their age group. Please see attached an information booklet and Nomination form. Nominations close:  Friday 2nd November 2018 at 5pm. Academy Nomination Form 2019 AFL-Goulburn-Murray-Academy-Information-Booklet-2019

AFL 9s is back in 2018, can Fossils go back to back or will Launch-it who have won the previous 4 Grand Finals try to revenge the 4 point shock loss from last year, or do we see a newly emerged team come from out of the blue to take the title in 2018.   The comp starts on Wednesday 24th October at 6.00pm Kialla Rec Res and shall play 9 rounds concluding on Wednesday 19th December in the grand final play off.   If you are interested in playing or wanting to entering a team please contact Mark (Chops) Lambourn at AFL Goulburn Murray on 0407504673 or email mark.lambourn@afl.com.au  asap.   So come and play the fast paced non-contact mixed social game of football sweeping the nation.  

The region’s leading coaches for 2018 have been honoured on Thursday 4 October 2018 at the Annual Goulburn Murray Coaches Association dinner held at ‘Barooga Sporties’ who have been the associations Major Partner since 1988. The annual event recognises and awards AFL Coaches in all categories across affiliated leagues in the region, with 2018 including for the first time a Netball Coach of the Year. Congratulations to all the Nominees and Winners of the 2018 GMCA Coach of the Year list below: Auskick Centre of the Year Nominees Jack Smyth – Nagambie Mark McGann – Echuca Rockets Jason Parker – Deakin Reserve 2018 Winner: Mark McGann Junior Coach of the Year (U12 and below) Nominees Tim Hayes – Yea Ben Hearn – Moama Steve Hetherton – Saints 2018 Winner: Ben Hearn Female Coach of the Year Nominees Fiona Byrnes – Nathalia 2018 Winner: Fiona Byrnes Netball Coach of the Year Nominees Jessica Bamblett – Rumbalara FNC 2018 Winner: Jessica Bamblett Youth Coach of the Year (U13 to U18) Nominees Rob Allen – Cobram Tait Collins – Tallygaroopna Glenn Hart – Kyabram Rod Mann – St Marys Dean Walton – Shepp United Bailey Wileman – Rochester 2018 Winner: Rob Allen Senior Coach of the Year Craig Kellow – Nathalia Paul Newman – Kyabram Kevin O’Donoghue – Tallygaroopna 2018 Winner: Craig Kellow