School Competitions
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The AFL offers a range of formats to ensure everyone can get involved, no matter their prior footy experience.
Full Format (Junior Rules): Grades 3 to 12
Full format offerings vary depending on student year level and are aligned to the Junior Rules. From field, ball and team size to duration of game play and rules like bouncing, marking and tackling.
The junior rules are age-appropriate and developed based on research and best practice, creating the optimal experience for junior footballers across the Country.
AFL Switch: Grades 7 to 12
AFL’s newest game is competitive, flexible and fun. ‘Tackle free with touch’ rules mean more people can get involved and play in a safer why while still experiencing that footy feeling.
Switch stays true to the essence of AFL, it’s about free-flowing ball movement, kicking, marking and scoring goals. There are no stoppages so the game flows freely. Quick starts & restarts from the goal square mean things never slow down. With seven players to a team, there’s heaps of room to run and plenty of opportunity to get involved.
Competitions across the country are delivered by the AFL and our State and Territory bodies (such as AFL Queensland or the SANFL), alongside AFL-supported competitions run by local school sport associations and districts (external bodies).
We offer diverse pathways for boys, girls, and mixed teams, featuring both full-format games and modified rules designed for all skill levels.
Opportunities vary by state, ranging from one-off gala days to full seasonal competitions.
Want to know more about school football opportunities and competitions? Contact your State or Territory Competitions Lead.
Teacher Resources
Students participating in school football competitions delivered through PlayHQ will be required to create a PlayHQ account. Learn more about the registration process by clicking the link below.
The Laws of the Game ensure Australian rules football is maintained and enhanced as the most spectacular game in the world to remain exciting, entertaining to play and watch and to remain safe to play for all.
The National School Football Competition Handbook details the national framework for administering school football competitions, setting consistent minimum standards while allowing for local adaptations.
AFL Schools Grants are there to give schools extra support to get a competition up and running for their students. AFL Schools Grants can be used for:
- Event Attendance: Funding for staff to attend competition days, this funding can also be used for bus hire.
- Apparel/Uniform: Help covering the cost of a new set of guernseys for participants
- Equipment Pack: To provide schools with more equipment to train for upcoming competitions
- Goal Post Padding: Help cover the cost of goal post padding for school oval goal posts
Teams will rely on teachers to coach them for both training and game day. There is a range of free resources online to support your development as a coach. To access these resources you will need to creat an AFL Learn account. Discover more across the below topics:
Prepare Your Team
The National Community Football Policy Handbook provides nationally aligned policies and governance requirements to support the safe, consistent and effective delivery of community football across Australia.
The National School Football Competition Handbook outlines the standards, policies and operational requirements that support the delivery of school football competitions across Australia.
Explore the Australian Football Laws of the Game to learn more about the rules and regulations that govern Australian football.
Learn about School Grants available to support the delivery, development and growth of Australian football within schools.
Explore AFL school programs that support student participation, skill development and engagement through Australian football.
School teachers should visit the AFL Facility Management page to access resources, funding opportunities, and strategic planning guides designed to improve local school sports infrastructure and upgrade grounds for student use.
The National Junior Rules Framework outlines the nationally aligned rules and game modifications that support the delivery of junior football across Australia.