AFL clubs get back to communities

Throughout February and early March, the AFL Community Camp Program is bringing AFL teams to various regions across Victoria, fostering connections with fans and the local community. 

The AFL Community Camp program is has returned to what it was pre-COVID, with AFL clubs visiting regional communities. For the past two years, AFL clubs have conducted community camps virtually because of the pandemic. This year, more than 700 AFL players will have visited communities, meeting fans and inspiring the next generation in person.

During the program, teams engaged in a range of activities such as school visits, training clinics, and signing days, as well as connecting with local clubs, making a positive impact in the regions they visited.

• Carlton - Wodonga
• Collingwood - Traralgon and Moe
• Essendon - Essendon South and Castlemaine
• Geelong - Warrnambool
• Melbourne - Seymour, Tallarook, Nagambie, Yea, and Alexandra.
• North Melbourne - Bendigo North and Rochester,
• Richmond - Shepparton and Benalla,
• St Kilda - Wangaratta

The Western Bulldogs will be visiting Ballarat on 23 Feb - 24 Feb, to conclude the AFL Community Camps for 2023.

In both July 2021 and October 2022, several communities in regional Victoria were impacted by flooding, experiencing significant challenges and disruptions due to the floods. A number of these areas have been visited by AFL clubs as part of the 2023 program, including… Traralgon, Panmure, Seymour, Rochester, Shepparton, Mororoopna, Rumbalara, and Benalla. 

The township of Rochester was severely affected by the floods last year, with 90 per cent of the community impacted. Today most of the community are still displaced either living out of town or in caravans in their driveways. While the football facilities have been relatively unscathed the junior and senior football clubs are working hard at keeping the whole community engaged in the town and wanting to provide a place that everyone can still come to, to connect with each other. 

North Melbourne made the trip out to Rochester, realising the significance of the floods and how they have impacted towns across regional Victoria. A powerful short video was shared by North Melbourne FC, link HERE. 

The AFL Community Camp Program has been a successful initiative that has helped eight teams connect with fans and local communities across various regions in Victoria. Community Camp Program has demonstrated the power of sport in bringing people together and supporting communities through difficult times.