About AFLNT
AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is the peak body for Australian Rules Football in the Northern Territory. Governing all leagues, development and talent programs from grassroots NAB AFL Auskick to senior football competitions. AFLNT also has interests in the Indigenous education space and is home to the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre.
AFLNT aims to:
- Grow participation rates
- Build the football infrastructure to provide a quality environment both on and off the field
- Develop and oversee the conduct of sustainable and financially liable competitions
- Govern and administer the game in an effective and efficient manner
- Built a talented player pathway to increase the opportunity for Territory players to compete at the highest level possible
AFLNT resides on Larrakia Country. We acknowledge the Larrakia people as the Traditional Owners of the greater Darwin Region and pay our respects to Larrakia Elders past and present. We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal people.
To celebrate the centenary of Territory Football in 2016, Dr. Matthew Stephen produced an essay detailing the sport's achievements and rich history in the NT.
The following is an excerpt from the essay:
Since football was first played in the Northern Territory in 1916 it has captured the public imagination like no other sport. Names like David Kantilla, Bill Dempsey, Maurice Rioli, Nathan Buckley, Michael Long, Andrew McLeod and Cyril Rioli are synonymous with exhilarating football and the Northern Territory itself. They are not just football stars but representatives of their family past and present, their football club, and their community.
Football is woven into to the fabric of Northern Territory life. For some it is the centre of their lives. ‘For the Tiwi people football means hope, it means pride and most of all it means life.’[1] The values invested in football, why it is played, who plays it and who controls it, reveals a great deal about society itself.[2] While today football celebrates and reflects the diversity and achievements the Territory’s communities it has not always been so. As society has changed so has football.
[1] David Moodie, ed. Tiwi Footy Yiloga (Singapore: F11 Productions, 2008), 105.
[2] Vasili, The First Black Footballer, Arthur Wharton 1865–1930: An Absence of Memory. (London: Frank Cass, 1998), p.96
Mr Sean Bowden - Chairman
Mrs Dianne Borella
Ms Kathleen Cole
Mr Rob Auld
Mr Lincoln Jenkin
Dr Josie Douglas
Mr Nigel Browne
Mr Thomas Wilcox
Mr Tony Fuller APM
Download the 2024 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2023 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2022 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2021 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2020 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2019 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2018 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2017 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2016 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2015 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2014 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Download the 2013 AFLNT Annual Report here.
Life Membership is to be awarded by the AFLNT via the AFLNT Board at the Annual General Meeting.
There are three categories of life membership - Honorary, Player and Umpire.
According to the AFL Northern Territory Consitution, the guidelines for receiving AFLNT life membership stipulate;
9.3 Life Members
(d) The Board may by resolution elect a person to a category of Life Membership provided that the person satisfies the relevant criteria as follows:
(i) Honorary Life Member: An Honorary Life Member is any person who has rendered outstanding service to Australian Football in the Northern Territory and only two such appointments may be made in each Financial Year;
(ii) Player Life Member: A Player Life Member is any person who has:
(A) played 200 Men’s Senior Australian Football games (in aggregate) for a Club (or Clubs) in the NTFL Premier League, the NT Thunder (or any successor representative team) or a Northern Territory representative team; or
(B) played 150 Women’s Senior Australian Football games (in aggregate) for a Club (or Clubs) in the NTFL Premier League, the NT Thunder (or any successor representative team) or a Northern Territory representative team;
(iii) Umpire Life Member: An Umpire Life Member is any person who has:
(A) umpired 200 Men’s or Women’s Senior Australian Football games (in aggregate) as a field and/or a boundary umpire in the NTFL Premier League, or any game in which the NT Thunder (or any successor representative team) or a Northern Territory representative team competes;
(B) umpired 200 Men’s or Women’s Senior Australian Football games (in aggregate) as a goal umpire in the NTFL Premier League, or any game in which the NT Thunder (or any successor representative team) or a Northern Territory representative team competes, and has given not less than ten (10) years’ service to Australian Football in the Northern Territory; or
(C) not met the requirements of clauses 9.3(c)(iii)(A) or 9.3(c)(iii)(B) above, but has umpired 200 Men’s or Women’s Senior Australian Football games (in aggregate) as either a field and/or boundary umpire and a goal umpire in the NTFL Premier League, or any game in which the NT Thunder (or any successor representative team) or a Northern Territory representative team competes, and has given not less than ten (10) years’ service to Australian Football in the Northern Territory.
Furthermore, a person shall not be deemed to be elected as a Life Member until they have notified the Company that they accept their election as a Life Member of the Company.
A person who has accepted their election as a Life Member shall be announced at the next Annual General Meeting.
Officially opened on March 13 2015, the Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre (MLLLC) is designed to harness the power of AFL football in the Northern Territory (NT) to give young Indigenous Territorians the same opportunities as all Australians.
The Centre has accommodation facilities for up to 72 people, a state-of-the-art gym, pool/recovery, education spaces and corporate facilities for functions and events.
If you would like more information about these projects or would like more information about the Centre, please contact the MLLLC at mlllc@afl.com.au.
Inspiring, educating, empowering and uniting communities through Australian Rules Football.
AFLNT is the only peak sporting body in the Northern Territory with a full-time presence throughout multiple remote regions.
Recognised as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of AFLNT, our Indigenous Programs have a broad focus that includes positive; social, health, education and employment outcomes. The comprehensive delivery of football programs in remote Aboriginal communities is also unique to AFLNT and no other AFL state bodies.
Our Programs are delivered in locations from the tropical top end to the red deserts of Central Australia including the following regions and communities; Central Australia, Lajamanu, Wadeye, Tiwi Islands, Maningrida, Elcho Island, Gove and Groote Eylandt. Serviced areas include communities, outstations and homelands.
By harnessing the passion for Australian Rules Football, community-based football initiatives are delivered by AFLNT to save extensive and dangerous travel time to access structured and supported sporting environments. Our football programs allow people to play their sport of preference on country of significance without the potential distractions of urban locations.
All football initiatives are participatory driven to include; children, youth and adults (males and female) in various programs. Football activities involve targeted messaging and specific programs based on advice from community elders, funding bodies and service providers. Our Indigenous Programs are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner with consideration for local customs, traditions and cultural practices.
With a community development focus to inspire, educate, empower and unite communities through Australian Rules Football. Building the capacity of community members to drive the direction and oversee local football initiatives is the aspirational goal of each project.
12 Football Development Leads are employed to live in the remote regions below to deliver the projects:
• Barkly
• Big Rivers
• Central Australia
• Galiwin'ku
• Gove
• Groote Eylandt
• Ngkurr
• Lajamanu
• Maningrida
• Tiwi Islands
• Wadeye
• Top End
An overview of the football themed activities delivered by the Football Development Leads are as follows:
• Facilitating local community-based football competitions for adult males and females, youth males and females and modified junior competitions.
• Junior Game Development programs to promote AFL skill development, including school based and community wide ‘Auskick’ programs.
• School based football initiatives to promote school attendance, leadership, sportsmanship and teamwork. Healthy lifestyle choices, mentoring and leadership are also major components of the school-based programs along with educational support.
• AFL NT Education Programs - providing a conduit between the Darwin based program and students from remote community schools. Facilitating the pre and post camp programs and assisting the selection of students for camps.
• Facilitating and managing remote community football carnivals and festivals for multiple remote community in a safe, welcoming and structured environment. Ensuring all remote community carnivals don’t impact school attendance and community harmony.
• Facilitate community-based umpiring, coaching and football administration training courses and accreditations.
• Assist in identifying talented footballers for NT state academy teams and programs for all participating age groups and genders.
• Providing opportunities for local trainee positions, CDP hosted agreements and casual roles to work for AFLNT.
Overview
The AFL NT Education Programs use the power of football to engage young people, improve school attendance, and promote positive behaviour. By linking participation to education, the programs help students see clear pathways from school to sport, leadership, and future opportunities.
Why It Exists
The programs were created in response to long-standing challenges around school attendance and engagement in the Northern Territory, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities. AFL is the most widely played and followed sport in the NT, making it a culturally relevant and powerful tool to motivate students and connect learning with something they are passionate about.
Program History
For more than a decade, AFLNT has partnered with schools, communities, and government to deliver education initiatives. What began as a way to boost attendance in a small number of remote schools has since grown into a Territory-wide program, involving both urban and remote schools. Over time, the model has evolved to include on-country outreach sessions, leadership-focused camps, and unique AFL match-day experiences that reward commitment and effort.
Program Structure
The program has two key elements:
1. Outreach – AFLNT staff travel to schools and communities each term to deliver on-country sessions for students aged 10–14. These activities build engagement, reinforce school values, and encourage attendance.
2. Camps – Selected students who demonstrate strong attendance, behaviour, and leadership are invited to multi-day camps in Darwin. Camps combine football, education, cultural activities, and AFL game-day experiences.
This structure ensures broad participation through outreach while providing reward and pathway opportunities for students who consistently show commitment at school and in their communities.
AFLNT Contacts
General enquiries – aflnt@afl.com.au
Sponsorship/partnership/finance – ntcommercial@afl.com.au
Community Footy – aflnt.football@afl.com.au
Michael Long Learning & Leadership Centre Academy – mlllc@afl.com.au
Events – aflntevents@afl.com.au
Media Enquiries - aflnt.media@afl.com.au
Postal Addresses
Darwin
PO Box 43196
CASUARINA NT 0811
Alice Springs
PO Box 379
ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871
AFLNT resides on Larrakia Country. We acknowledge the Larrakia people as the Traditional Owners of the greater Darwin Region and pay our respects to Larrakia Elders past and present. We are committed to a positive future for all Aboriginal people.
TIO NTFL Club Vacancies
If your club or organisation is interested in advertising a position related to Northern Territory Football on our AFLNT Careers page, please send your job ad (in Word format) to aflntmedia@afl.com.au. Please make sure you provide the completed version as changes once the ad has been posted are limited.
Ongoing AFLNT Vacancies
NTFL Match Managers
- To view position description, click here.
- Email your application to aflnt.football@afl.com.au
NTFL Commentators
- Love NTFL footy? Love to yarn? We want to speak with you!
- Email interest to aflnt.media@afl.com.au
AFLNT Photographers
- To view the position description, click here.
- Email your application to aflnt.media@afl.com.au
Kiosk/ Bar Staff - TIO Stadium
- Email your application to jenny.elliott@afl.com.au
TIO Stadium
TIO Stadium, formerly Marrara Stadium, is the premier outdoor stadium in the Northern Territory and was built in 1991, primarily to cater for Australian Football. TIO Stadium has a unique Territory feel with open air viewing and traditional football sights from the grassy mounds. You are able to watch AFL games in the comfort of an air-conditioned corporate box, the Kantilla’s members' bar or from the premium viewing alfresco wings.
TIO Traeger Park
TIO Traeger Park Oval, known as the jewel in the centre, is the premier playing field in Alice Springs. TIO Traeger Park Oval has beautifully manicured lawns which are meticulously maintained to perfection and attracts national sporting fixtures to the region.
The Northern Territory Football Club aka NT Thunder was established in 2009 to utilise the power of Australian Rules Football in tackling anti-social behaviour, deliver educational outcomes and provide employment opportunities for Territorians.
NT Thunder recognises the fact Australian Rules Football is the language that breaks all barriers across the NT and through a diverse and unique set of core objectives the club has cemented its place as a high profile, successful sporting organisation that provides life changing opportunities, penetrates cultural differences and adds significant value to the local community.
In 2018 the NT Thunder women's team joined the Victorian Football League (VFL) women's competition, making the finals in its inaugural year.
NT Thunder won the 2011 Eastern and Northern premiership in 2011 (two separate grand finals) and also won the 2015 NEAFL premiership.
There is a rich history and culture at NT Thunder thanks to the dreams and tireless work of many.
In September 2019, AFLNT confirmed it would not enter teams in the NEAFL and VFLW competitions in 2020, see here for more information.
To see historic news, videos, fixtures and result information, plus 2019 player profiles and much more be sure to visit the NT Thunder website.