Through the AFL Sporting Schools program, we aim to introduce students to Australian football through fun, engaging and challenging games and activities that are suited and adapted for a range of age groups and skill levels. Students will also learn about the pathway programs available such as NAB AFL Auskick, School football and Junior football.
You can find out more on AFL’s approach to school programs via AFL Schools Resources for teachers and kids | Play AFL
“Being a teacher, I have seen the positive impact that the game has had on students via AFL School programs. AFL is such an inclusive sport, no matter your size, stature or ability everyone can get involved and benefit from being active and playing footy with their school mates.I’d encourage fellow teachers to engage their students with our great game”.
Steph Chiocci – National Schools Ambassador and AFLW Collingwood captain
Experience AFL
Experience AFL is for students with some existing understanding of Australian football. The structured curriculum expands on the footy basics focusing on more games and less drills. It’s a great way to further develop skills of the game and introduce modified match play.
Programs have been developed for:
- Year 3-4
- Year 5-6
AFL 9s
AFL 9s is a versatile program ideal for combining the footy and motor skills learnt by students and applying them in a team sport setting.
Lessons for the AFL 9s program are plenty of fun, consisting of warm ups, skill development and an AFL 9s game.
This program is offered at secondary school level.
Coach-delivered programs
This Australian football incursion is delivered by our trained AFL staff who have undertaken safeguarding children training and have relevant State or Territory Working with Children Checks. The programming has a focus on practicing the core skills of the game as well as having lots of fun along the way.
Cost for 4-week program for Primary or Secondary students is $400 per class (class = 30 students).
Teacher-led programs
The teacher-led program provides teachers with our teacher-led program resources that include best practice, evidence-based pedagogy and a range of assessment tools to run the program, as well as optional access from the AFL to help support teachers to successfully deliver their own programs in their schools.
Cost is based on a bespoke package designed by the school and may include – purchase of equipment, funding to support teacher relief to attend teacher PD days or online sessions and AFL staff member attendance at your first or last session (where possible).
All Coach-delivered programs are facilitated by AFL staff who bring all required equipment to run the program.
All Teacher-led programs can be supported by equipment purchased via our AFL Schools Shop. Your AFL contact will chat to you about your equipment needs and facilitate delivery of required equipment.
Primary Schools (excluding NSW/ACT/VIC*)
Primary schools have an option to purchase an AFL equipment pack. Each pack consists of:
- 15 x size 1 or 3 Sherrin footballs
- 1 x football carry bag
- 1 x set of portable cones
- 1 x football hand pump
*In NSW/ACT each participant will receive a pack which includes a Size 1 Sherrin football, AFL Club stickers & AFL Footy cards. Schools in VIC have the opportunity to purchase equipment from the AFL schools store instead.
Secondary Schools
Secondary schools also have the option to purchase an AFL equipment pack. Each pack consists of:
- 15 x size 4 Sherrin footballs
- 1 x football carry bag
- 1 x set of portable cones
- 1 x football hand pump
*The equipment packs are the same across all States/Territories for secondary schools.
Registered teachers can deliver Australian football in Sporting Schools by meeting the requirements below:
- Hold a valid state and/or territory teacher registration
- Confirm adequacy of insurance
- Current AFL Foundation Coaching
- Approved by your local AFL Development Manager
Teachers can deliver programs via our teacher-led program resources.
To become a coach and deliver Australian football in Sporting Schools please ensure you are working towards the following requirements:
- Be aged 18 years or over
- Hold a current Working With Children Check
- Confirm adequacy of insurance
- Current AFL Foundation Coaching
Coaches are all employed by the AFL and have undertaken safeguarding children training and have relevant State or Territory Working with Children Checks.
Sporting Schools is an Australian-wide program in partnership with over 30 national sporting organisations (NSO), of which the AFL is one.
The AFL coordinates all Sporting Schools programs and do not require external coaching providers. For further information please contact the AFL.
AFL Resources
The AFL have developed high-quality educational resources that incorporate effective, evidence-based pedagogy and assessment tools for students.
- Practical/onfield – Deepening student engagement with the Health and Physical Education Curriculum, these units build students’ knowledge, understanding and skills to support them play a modified version of AFL.
- In class/off-field – engaging lessons that take the AFL inside the classroom, providing opportunities for students to progress their learning across the curriculum.
- Other support materials – Fun and engaging AFL-themed classroom activities to download, whilst supporting learning across the entire curriculum.
- Teacher Professional Learning – Our professional learning sessions provides theory and practical application of AFL programming. Our approach gives teachers and those studying to be teachers the opportunity to learn about the theories that underpin effective teaching in HPE whilst learning about the relevant skills and game-sense approaches.
- AFL Schools Membership – AFL Schools membership gives teachers and schools the opportunity to access rewards, priority access to teacher resources, unlock AFL & AFLW ticket offers and be the first to know what is happening in AFL Schools.
For further information contact your local AFL Development Manager:
NSW/ACT SA QLD | TAS VIC WA |