AFL Queensland is pleased to announce the return of the Under 8 Girls competition in 2026 as part of the Maccas SEQ Juniors competition across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Introduced to support girls transitioning from NAB AFL Auskick, the competition provides a tackle-free entry point into community football. The initiative addresses a previous gap in the participation pathway, where young girls had to choose between playing in a mixed Under 8 competition or progressing to modified tackling in Under 9 girls.
The 2025 season saw 248 players across 22 teams take to the field — a clear reflection of the remarkable growth of girls’ Australian rules football in South East Queensland in recent years.
This year there is extra incentive to be part of this competition. For any club that enters an additional team in the Under 8 Girls competition this season, AFL Queensland will reimburse up to $250 for money spent on uniforms, hydration, footballs, coaching expenses and/or subsiding the overall club fee for the additional team.
AFL Queensland’s Participation and Operations Manager Kieran Daley said the continuation of this competition is critical to cementing a clear pathway for girls.
“The introduction of this competition last year was a crucial step forward in growing the game for girls in South East Queensland,” he said.
“Girls can now transition from NAB AFL Auskick to community football, playing in a tackle-free, all girls competition.
“The success of the competition in its inaugural season last year reflects the appetite Queensland has for girls to have a pathway from NAB AFL Auskick all the way through to the elite competition and signifies the growth in women and girls footy.”
AFL Queensland looks forward to building on this momentum in 2026 and providing more opportunities for young girls to play our game.
If your child is interested in playing Australian rules football this year, there’s still time to register. Head to play.afl to find your nearest club and find your way to play.