Two senior premierships, a first for the Senior Women and a father and son sharing the pitch 15 years after helping begin the club’s junior journey – Grand Final weekend was one to remember for Barwon Heads Soccer Club.
It was a weekend of history, family and celebration for Barwon Heads Soccer Club, with both the Senior Women and Men’s Division 3 teams crowned Football Geelong champions.
For the Senior Women, the occasion was already historic before a ball was kicked.
The team was appearing in its first-ever Grand Final, with a core group of players having shared their football journey since their MiniRoos days.
They made the most of the occasion, defeating Bellarine Sharks 2–0 to secure the premiership and write a new chapter in the club’s history.
A day later, the celebrations continued.
Barwon Heads’ Men’s Division 3 team was appearing in the club’s first Grand Final at that level in more than 15 years and secured a 1–0 victory over Bell Park to make it two senior premierships for the club across the weekend.
But behind the result was another story that captured what community football is all about.
From starting a junior program to sharing the senior pitch
Among the Men’s Division 3 squad were three sets of fathers and sons, bringing different generations of Barwon Heads football together on the same team.
Perhaps the most fitting connection was that of James and Banjo Ramage.
James was one of the founders of the Barwon Heads junior program around 15 years ago.
At the time, Banjo was among the club’s first junior players.
Beginning in Under 7s, Banjo progressed through the age groups at Barwon Heads and eventually into senior football.
Fifteen years after helping create a pathway for young players at the club, James found himself lining up alongside his son in a Football Geelong Grand Final.
And this time, they finished the day as premiership teammates.
It’s a journey that perfectly captures the importance of junior football and the lasting connections that can grow within a community club.
What began with a young player pulling on the Barwon Heads colours in Under 7s eventually led to father and son sharing the pitch as senior players – and celebrating a premiership together.
The family connections didn’t stop there, with three father-and-son combinations involved in the Division 3 side.
The team also included Bruce McColl, the oldest player in the squad at 64, adding yet another generation to a side that truly reflected the community behind the club.
A weekend to remember
Across two days, Barwon Heads celebrated success at both ends of its senior program.
For the Senior Women, a first Grand Final became a first premiership.
For the Men’s Division 3 side, a return to the Grand Final stage after more than 15 years ended with another trophy.
And for families like the Ramages, the weekend represented something even bigger than the final result – the chance to see years of involvement in community football come full circle.
From MiniRoos to senior football, from parents establishing pathways to their children eventually playing alongside them, Grand Final weekend provided a fitting reminder that football clubs are about much more than what happens during 90 minutes on the pitch.
For Barwon Heads, it was two teams, two premierships and one very special weekend.
Congratulations to the players, coaches, volunteers, families and supporters at Barwon Heads Soccer Club on a memorable end to the 2026 season.