Beyond the Boundary #Issue 30

shaunconnell1
31 minutes ago
4 min read

FROM THE REGION MANAGER

CCSP Caps announced across the region

Earlier this week leagues were informed of the respective 2026 Player Payment and Point Caps for the Goulburn Murray Region.

With confirmation of the caps, clubs may now make applications for additional TTP and APP.

TTP Applications

Applications for additional TTP must include a letter from the club and the completed Application for Points Reassessment Team Template that can be found here:
These must be submitted within 28 days of the date of this email (26 September 2025).

APP Applications

Player Payment Rules (PPR)
Applications for additional APP is made under Rule 3(a)(iii) of the Player Payment Rules.
Factors considered are under 3(a)(iv). These must be submitted by no later than 30 November 2025.

Getting to Know: John Thompson, Club Development Lead – AFL Goulburn Murray

The region is excited to welcome John Thomspon to the region and Goulburn Murray Team. John is backfilling Sammi Monaghan’s role whilst Sammi is on maternity leave.

I spent some time with John in his first week to find out just a little more about him;

SC: Could you please introduce yourself and share your role with AFL Goulburn Murray?

JT: My name is John Thompson and I’m excited to have been given the opportunity to fill the Club Development Lead role for the Goulburn Murray region for the next 10 months.

SC: Can you tell us about your involvement in grassroots football and the different roles you’ve held over the years?

JT: Grassroots football has been a large part of my life, fulfilling roles as a player, an under-19s coach, and as a club executive, both at committee level and as a club president.

SC: How do you think your past experiences in club football will help you in your role as Club Development Lead?

JT: I believe my experience in club land will give me a greater understanding and empathy for issues facing our football community.

SC: What will be your key areas of focus during your time in this role?

JT: My focus will be on upskilling and developing our coaches and volunteers, promoting greater engagement and representation for women’s and girls’ participation across all roles, and assisting clubs to maximise grant opportunities and funding.

It’s an exciting time to join the team as we begin the planning for 2026. It’s been a busy first week with meeting the AFLGM Staff, AFLV Participation and Game Development Teams. It was also great to meet the League Presidents and Murray League Operations Manager earlier this week.

SC: What are you most looking forward to as you work with clubs in the lead-up to the 2026 season?JT : I’m looking forward to building positive working relationships with all club representatives as we move into the 2026 season.

All the best to all teams competing in this year's finals series throughout the Goulburn Murray community.

AFL Nines promotion

Nines is coming to Echuca/Moama and Shepparton.

Echuca Nines

🏉 AFL Nines is coming to Echuca!

Grab your mates and get a team together for a fun day of footy – no tackling, 9v9 matches, and plenty of action in a welcoming environment.

📍 Jack Eddy Oval, Moama

📅 Sunday, November 16th

🕙 10am – 4pm

💲 $350 per team

👥 Open Mixed Competition (Ages 18+)

👉 Register your team here: https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/1b7d0b

ℹ️ For more information, contact: Jo Spencer – jo.spencer@aflgm.com.au

Shepparton Nines

🏉 AFL Nines is coming to Shepparton!

Grab your mates and get a team together for a fun day of footy – no tackling, 9v9 matches, and plenty of action in a welcoming environment.

📍 Kialla Reserve, Kialla

📅 Sunday, November 9th

🕙 10am – 4pm

💲 $350 per team

👥 U14’s, U16’s, U18’s (Boys and Girls Teams)

👉 Register your team here: https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/1b7d0b

ℹ️ For more information, contact: Connor Noakes – connor.noakes@aflgm.com.au

Community Football

What an incredible start for Finals in the Kyabram and District League and Goulburn Murray Juniors last weekend. The perfect weather across the region had huge crowds attending at Rushworth, Merrigum, Mooroopna and Broadford.

This week we see GVL and Murray League commence their Finals with more big crowds expected.

Check out the Play.AFL App on both Apple and Android.

What’s Coming Up in the Region - including finals!

📅 August 30-31 – Murray League Elimination Finals (Deniliquin FNC & Congupna FNC)

📅 August 30-31 – Kyabram District League Semi Finals (Longwood FNC & Stanhope FNC)

📅 August 30-31 – Goulburn Valley League Elimination & Qualifying Finals

📅 August 31 – Goulburn Murray Juniors Preliminary Finals (Week 2)

📅 September 6 – Kyabram District League Preliminary Finals (Shepparton East FNC)

📅 September 6-7 – Murray League Semi Finals (Echuca United FNC & Numurkah FNC)

📅 September 6-7 – Goulburn Valley League Semi Finals

📅 September 7 – Goulburn Murray Juniors Grand Finals (Week 3)

📅 September 13 – Murray League Preliminary Finals (Nathalia FNC)

📅 September 13 – Kyabram District League Grand Finals (Mooroopna FNC)

📅 September 14 – Goulburn Valley League Preliminary Finals (Deakin Reserve)

📅 September 20 – Murray League Grand Finals (Moama FNC)

📅 September 21 – Goulburn Valley League Grand Finals (Deakin Reserve)

Shaun Connell

AFL Victoria Regional Manager - Goulburn Murray

***WITH YOUR DEDICATION - 14% More Participants than 2019***

We’re Here to Help!

Our team is on hand to support you across all areas:

Governance, Strategy, Facilities, Partnerships & Governance – Shaun Connell

Participation Team – Kevin Monaghan & Mel Saunders

Club Development & Experience – John Thompson

Operational Support – Jo Spencer, Brad Noonan (GVL), Connor Noakes (GMJ), Sam Heron (GMW&G), Jo Backway, Michelle Adams and Dale Norman (MFL)

From mid-December, the Australian Government will require certain social media services to take steps to prevent U16's

from having accounts. As an early FYI, there are still specific details being developed but it is worth starting to consider:

(1) how young people and clubs currently use social media as part of their sport, and (2) what policies, training or resources may need to be reviewed/updated.

For more information: click here

Free training webinar - click here