The competition is the biggest Australian rules knock-out competition for primary school students in Australia, with almost 10,000 young footballers participating last year.
Kicking off in Term 1 for the first time in 2025, the state-wide competition will see Stage 2 and 3-aged students contesting in a modified format version of the game through gala days across the state, before these regional winners contest for the prestigious title of state champions.
For the first time, participation in the tournament will also include access to the new AFL NSW/ACT Connect vouchers, which entitles students competing in Greater Sydney to access $50 off registration at participating local Junior Australian Rules Football clubs.
Head of AFL NSW/ACT Andrew Varasdi said:
"Paul Kelly Cup is a significant event on the AFL NSW/ACT calendar and we've scaled the competition up to get more kids playing Australian rules.
"We've brought forward the competition into Term 1, ahead of community football start dates to ensure that anyone who falls in love with footy through the Cup has a chance to play it.
"We've also introduced Connect Program Vouchers which gives Paul Kelly Cup participants across Greater Sydney the opportunity to register with their local clubs at a reduced cost.
"With Opening Round just around the corner and both the GWS GIANTS and Sydney Swans coming off record membership years in 2024, this is a really exciting time for AFL in New South Wales."
The competition, named for AFL Hall of Famer and NSW Hall of Champions Legend, Paul Kelly, was first run in 1997 and is in its 27th edition, more than two decades after the Champion Swan’s retirement.
Registrations are still open, click here to find your local competition.
Keep an eye out for our exciting new schools website page, coming soon to play.afl/nswact.
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