Junior Football

When NAB AFL Auskick has been mastered, one step along the AFL pathway is Junior Football.

Junior Leagues offer children aged from seven to twelve their first opportunity to join the excitement of a football club environment and gain exposure to an assigned coach.

Junior Football allows players to experience a variety of positions on the ground from full back to full forward. 

Rules of matches are modified so children can continue to develop their skills in an enjoyable, safe atmosphere. 

There is no minimum kicking distance to mark the ball and the removal of roving positions ensures participants learn the importance of playing to position.

Girls Play Junior Football Too

  • Rules are still modified and where there are no junior girls competitions, girls can play in mixed gender teams as 13 and 14 year olds
  • Females can play in mixed-gender teams up to the age of 14. However, where possible girls aged 10-12 years should play in single gender junior competitions

Key Principles

  • Game-play maximised
  • Fun, safety
  • Focus on skill development
  • Modified: rules, playing area and equipment
  • Players experience playing in a variety of positions
  • Introduction of an assigned coach

* Participants must be in Year 3 to be eligible

Youth Football

Tailor made for players of all abilities and aspirations, Youth Football caters to teenagers from Year 8 to Year 12.

An ideal progression from either NAB AFL Auskick or Junior Football, Youth Football provides participants with the opportunity to play in a graded competition within a club environment.

Fun, fast and skilful, Youth Football is chance for boys to play football with their mates and establish new friendships, with a distinct focus on team building.

 

Year 8 – Year 9

Key Principles

  • Fun and safe
  • Play with mates
  • Focus on developing skills and tactics
  • Modified rules, playing area and equipment

 

Year 10 – Year 12

By ages 15-18 the full Laws of Australian Football are applied and boys will play the same brand of football they see being played at the elite level. It is at this stage that talented youth players may be identified to participate in the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, the pathway for elite teenage footballers with aspirations of joining the AFL.

Key Principles

  • Fun and fast
  • Play with mates
  • Continue developing skills and tactics