New senior club Surf Coast Suns to enter Bellarine Football Netball League in 2026
The peak body of a football and netball competition has ruled on whether a new local club will be allowed to enter the league.
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Surf Coast will become the 11th team in the Bellarine senior competition in 2026 after a landmark decision from the AFL Barwon Commission.
The commission met with Bellarine Football Netball League clubs on Wednesday night to discuss the Suns’ application to join the senior ranks.
It came after the Suns met with AFL Barwon on Monday, one of several key engagements where the club’s facilities, financials, participation levels and development were examined.
They also looked at Surf Coast’s capacity to provide mutual benefits to the Bellarine FNL, how the Suns plan to field senior football and netball, and their strategic plan for the future.
During AFL Barwon’s extensive restructure process the Suns had been pushing to enter the competition in 2025 — with their netball program well prepared for senior competition and their football arm fielding their first under-18 side this year.
But the AFL Barwon Commission passed a motion “unanimously in favour” of Surf Coast entering the competition in 2026.
“The AFL Barwon Commission during this special meeting, passed a motion unanimously in favour of accepting Surf Coast FNC’s application into the Bellarine FNL, for 2026,” AFL Barwon Commission said in a statement.
“This decision marks a significant moment for both the Bellarine FNL, and the Surf Coast FNC.
“With a total participant base across Male Football & Netball programs exceeding 400, an U18 Male Football side and several years of top-age Netballers’ participation restricted, this decision provides Surf Coast FNC a platform for the future, and will contribute significantly to the future success of the Bellarine FNL.
“AFL Barwon extends its gratitude to all Bellarine FNL Clubs and the Surf Coast FNC, for their respective involvements and contributions to this process.”
There had been opposition from Bellarine FNL clubs to Surf Coast entering the competition, with Barwon Heads president Russell Hyland telling this publication last week that another club would compromise the draw and hurt club finances.
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Originally published as New senior club Surf Coast Suns to enter Bellarine Football Netball League in 2026
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