Willing and all abilities
Footballers of all abilities will follow in the footsteps on some of their idols when opening their season at GMHBA Stadium this month.
AFL Barwon and the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust announced a three-year partnership with the All Abilities Football Netball League, in which their football seasonopeners will continue to be held at GMHBA Stadium, with Kardinia Park also announced as naming rights partner.
For Geelong West Giants’ Sean McKenzie, who plays football and netball for the Giants, the April 27 season-opener is the chance to follow in the footsteps of one of his heroes, Geelong’s former captain Joel Selwood.
“Watching him play here at Kardinia Park, that was amazing and it gives other people an opportunity to play on the ground he played on,” McKenzie said.
The Giants open their season at the stadium against Bell Park from 4.30pm, with St Josephs and Newcomb Power to follow from 6.30pm, with entry free for spectators.
McKenzie, 25, said he enjoyed the friendship that came out of playing football and netball, including post-match chats with opposition players.
One of his opposition on the netball court is Newcomb’s Emma Daffy, who is excited to return to training this week ahead of the first game on April 23 at Kardinia Park netball courts.
The 23-year-old, who got back into netball after moving to Geelong, enjoys the passion in the game.
“We’ve got a great supportive team and if we’ve got any concerns the coach is always up and open,” she said.
“We bond really well and we bond with all the other teams as well. I think that’s why a lot of people come to netball here in Geelong.”
AFL Barwon regional manager Ed Wilson and Kardinia
Park Stadium Trust chief executive Gerard Griffin agreed the partnership was the next step in evolving the league past its inaugural 2023 season.
Griffin said that he believed there would be “something special” on show at the doubleheader, with netballers also involved with on-field activities on the day.
“I think it’s quite unique to have all abilities in one of the tier 1 stadiums in the country and what that signifies,” Griffin said.
“It’s cementing something in the DNA of this stadium, yes it’s elite but it’s also community.”
The season runs through until August.
“We bond really well and we bond with all the other teams as well
Emma Daffy Netballer