Townsville's Riverway Stadium will host an Australian rules footy bonanza, with schools from Townsville, Mackay, Capricornia and Cairns regions playing in the StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup North Queensland Championships over the next two days.
The competition is proudly presented by AFL Queensland and Townsville City Council, who has signed a two-year agreement to host the annual championships.
More than 600 students will compete across six divisions of school footy, with finals taking place on the Tuesday.
The winners from each division will book themselves a spot in the premier Queensland finals to be played on the Sunshine Coast in October.
All 24 games will be livestreamed and commentated, thanks to AFL Queensland's partnership with News Limited's KommunityTV.
Primary school students will also be participating in Australian rules football matches, with the Primary – Best on Ground event being held at the Murray Sports Complex on Monday.
Head of AFL Queensland and International Trisha Squires thanked Townsville City Council for their support of the competition.
“2025 looks set to be another record breaking year for our StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup Competition, with more than 800 schools participating,” she said.
“We are so excited to see the best schools in North Queensland showcase their skills and ability.
“We thank Townsville City Council and all AFL Queensland staff, students, teachers, parents and administrators for supporting this year’s championships.”
Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said Townsville City Council was proud to provide funding across two years to support schools travelling to Townsville.
“As the sport and events capital of Northern Australia there’s no better place to be hosting the StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup competition than Townsville,” Cr Greaney said.
“Sport is an important way to learn, grow and have fun and as a mum of two active young men I know how important the mateship formed in teams is for sportsmen and women.
“Well done and good luck to all of the teams competing.”
2025 StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup – North Queensland Championships competing schools:
Youth Male:
Townsville – Ignatius Park College
Cairns – St Augustine's College
Mackay – Moranbah State High School
Capricornia – Emmaus College
Youth Female:
Townsville – St Margaret Mary’s College
Cairns – St Monica’s College
Mackay - Moranbah State High School
Capricornia – The Cathedral College
Junior Male:
Townsville – Kirwan State High School
Cairns - St Augustine's College
Mackay – Mackay State High School
Capricornia – The Cathedral College
Junior Female:
Townsville – St Margaret Mary’s College
Cairns – Cairns State High School
Mackay – Moranbah State High School
Capricornia – St Ursula’s College
Senior Male:
Townsville – Ryan Catholic College
Cairns - St Augustine's College
Mackay - Moranbah State High School
Capricornia – St Brendan’s College
Senior Female:
Townsville – Kirwan State High School
Mackay - Moranbah State High School
Capricornia – The Cathedral College
Cairns – Trinity Bay State High School