The 2025 Toyota AFL Opening Round has launched with the Schools AFL PLAY ‘Kick Off’ longest-kick competition.
Primary schools from across Greater Sydney and South East Queensland are invited to take part in the longest kick contest, supported by Sherrin, where two winners from each school who kick the furthest will be awarded a brand new Sherrin and four tickets to an Opening Round match.
The program was launched at Excelsior Public School in Castle Hill, Sydney on Monday alongside players from the GWS Giants.
Reigning Coleman Medallist, GWS GIANTS’ star forward Jesse Hogan was on hand to set the competition marker, with emerging GIANTS starters Joe Fonti and Jacob Wehr offering coaching and encouragement to the young competitors.
National Participation Programs Manager Andrew Ainger said:
"We're thrilled to be able to bring the excitement of Opening Round into schools and directly to fans across Sydney and southern Queensland with the Kick Off competition.
"The Opening Round concept is about bringing more footy to more of the country and that means getting kids picking up the game at the grassroots through school programs and community football.
“Footy is growing exponentially in New South Wales and Queensland and we need to ensure we keep up with the interest by providing more entry points to the game at the community level,” said Mr Ainger.
Marking just 17 days to go until the 2025 season gets underway, the Kick-Off competition celebrates the scale of Opening Round with competitions across New South Wales and Queensland, before the states host the first four matches for premiership points of the year.
The AFL PLAY Kick Off Competition will run across both regions in the lead up to Opening Round weekend, which begins when the Brisbane Lions take on Geelong on Thursday 6 March at the Gabba, followed by Sydney Swans against Hawthorn on Friday 7 March at the SCG and continues when the Gold Coast Suns meet Essendon on Saturday 8 March at People First Stadium and the GWS GIANTS against Collingwood on Sunday 9 March at ENGIE Stadium.
Opening Round is selling fast, secure your ticket to see the season kick off through this link