L-R: AFLW premiership player Emma Kearney, AFL premiership player Tom Hawkins, WorkSafe Ambassador Tom Boyd, Head of AFL Victoria Greg Madigan, WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin, Anakie FNC players Zara and Mason. Image: Luke Hemer
As excitement builds toward the first country football match of 2026, AFL Victoria celebrated its 25th season of partnership with WorkSafe Victoria at Anakie Football Netball Club on Tuesday.
AFL Victoria and WorkSafe were joined by three-time AFL and AFLW premiership players Tom Hawkins and Emma Kearney, who both began their football careers at regional clubs.
Since 2002, WorkSafe has worked with country football netball clubs to promote workplace safety and advice to rural and regional communities throughout the state.
During that time WorkSafe has provided crucial funding to AFL Victoria which has directly benefited every league and club.
133 clubs have hosted WorkSafe through its Country Club Game initiative, 192 clubs have been funded to improve safety at their facilities and many unsung community heroes have been recognised and celebrated through the annual Series, celebrating local champions in Footy’s Favourite Farmer Award.
Across the more than two decades of partnership with AFL Victoria, country football has rapidly evolved, including a boom in women and girls participation, including current AFLW premiership star Emma Kearney.
The 2018 AFLW Best and Fairest and three-time premiership player was born and raised in the Western District town of Cavendish, a community of only a few hundred at the gateway to the Grampians.
Her success at the highest level has inspired the next generation of girls, with Cavendish Football Netball Club seeing a boom in women and girls participation in recent years, with nearly 100 registered participants across their U15 Girls, U18 Girls and Senior Women’s teams.
Growing up playing with the boys, Emma said she never thought she’d see a women’s or girls’ team at her home club.
“When I played at Cavendish there were no women’s teams…to hear that there’s a senior women’s and two junior girls teams now is incredible,” Kearney said.
“I’m really proud of what the club has done to grow the game and they’re having some really good on-field success which is driven by the club’s culture and the willingness to have fun and give it a go.”
WorkSafe paid a visit to Cavendish in the middle of the 2025 season, with the club hosting a Country Club Week event against neighbouring Heywood Football Netball Club.
The WorkSafe Country Club Week initiative aims to champion regional communities and their volunteers, whilst serving as a platform for sporting these football and netball clubs to promote the importance of workplace safety.
All clubs that host a Country Club Week event benefit from $15,000 in contributions from WorkSafe, including new footballs, netballs and goal post padding for the club, along with the events and activations held by WorkSafe throughout the week.
Three-time AFL premiership player Tom Hawkins grew up playing junior country footy for Finley in AFL Victoria’s Murray League, before going on to become one of Geelong’s most decorated AFL players.
He reflected fondly on his country footy days at Finley before moving to Melbourne to chase his AFL dreams.
"Growing up in Finley, I know that country footy and netball clubs are the heartbeat of rural communities; they are vital places where farming families break the long hours of solitude to connect. My journey from a country junior to an AFL career wouldn’t have been possible without that foundation, and I still value the role these clubs play in keeping our towns strong," Hawkins said.
"WorkSafe’s 25 seasons supporting country footy and safe farms is remarkable. A safe workplace is just like a winning footy team. Everyone plays by the rules, takes responsibility and we always looks out for each other — because working safe is a team sport."
Head of AFL Victoria Greg Madigan thanked WorkSafe for its loyal support of country football for more than two decades.
“Since 2002, country footy has grown and evolved significantly, especially in the women and girls’ space, and we are proud to have partnered with WorkSafe all these years to continue improving safety, education and resources for our country football communities,” Madigan said.
“To see players like Emma and Tom go from playing locally in a small town to winning three premierships at the elite level shows the talent coming out of country footy, and it’s great to have WorkSafe’s support to give back to these communities through club visits, funding and other initiatives.”
WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said the milestone reflects a long-standing commitment to keep regional Victorians safe both on and off the field.
“Country footy is powered by hard working Victorians. The same people playing or volunteering on weekends are often working in high-risk industries during the week,” Mr Jenkin said.
“Through our club visits, safety grants and community activations, we’re reinforcing a simple message – working safe is a team sport, and WorkSafe is here to help you so you can keep doing the things you love outside work like playing, coaching and supporting your local club.”
In its 25th season of supporting country football, WorkSafe will again feature six regional Victorian clubs as part of its Country Club Series, with the host clubs from all corners of the state.
For more information on the Country Club series, visit play.afl/victoria/community-programs/worksafe-afl-victoria-country
2026 WorkSafe Country Club Series
MATCH ONE
Dederang-Mt Beauty v Mitta United
Saturday 28 March
Mount Beauty Recreation Reserve
MATCH TWO
Warracknabeal v Southern Mallee Thunder
Saturday 30 May
ANZAC Park, Warracknabeal
MATCH THREE
Tarwin v Thorpedale
Saturday 20 June
Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve
MATCH FOUR
Orbost v Boisdale/Briagolong
Saturday 11 July
Lochiel Street Reserve, Orbost
MATCH FIVE
Hawkesdale/Macarthur v Lismore/Derrinallum
Saturday 1 August
Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve
MATCH SIX
Koroit v Terang/Mortlake
Saturday 22 August
Victoria Park, Koroit