Expanded 9v9 primary school footy comp to launch in 2024

AFL Victoria and School Sport Victoria (SSV) have partnered to launch an expanded nine-a-side Australian rules football competition for primary schools across the state.

Following a successful pilot last year, there will be 33 ‘Gala Day’ 9v9 competitions held across Victoria throughout July and August in 2024, during Term 3 of the school year.

Registration is free for SSV Victorian primary school members, with the program open to students in grades four to six to participate. There will be a girls division and a boys/mixed division at each of the 9v9 Gala Days.

Schools can enter more than one team in each division depending on their participation numbers.

First and second place from each event will progress to region level events (dates and locations to be confirmed), ahead of the State Championships being held on Wednesday, 27 November 2024 at La Trobe University in Bundoora.

The 9v9 format, involving reduced player numbers from the conventional 18-a-side football format, is designed to provide greater participation opportunities for more students and schools. Games are played on a smaller field size, allowing for multiple matches to take place on a full-size oval.

The increased number of Gala Days in 2024 comes after an eight-event pilot was successfully run in 2023, with the expanded program this year coming in ahead of 9v9 being introduced as the SSV Australian Football Primary competition format in 2025.

Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, said AFL Victoria is committed to enhancing the student experience and having more students and children playing and enjoying Australian rules football.

“We’re delighted with the expansion of the SSV 9v9 Australian rules football program in 2024 and, equally, excited about the full implementation across the SSV program in 2025.

“We think there’s improved delivery efficiency, the opportunity for more schools to be able to participate in the SSV competition, including multiple teams from the one school. Equally important this year is the education focus which we’re committed to so that SSV Coordinators, teachers and schools are fully equipped for 2025.”

Jamie Parsons, School Sport Victoria CEO, is incredibly excited about the expansion of the 9v9 format in 2024 building on the success of the pilots in 2023.

"The evidence is clear, the format will provide a better student experience with more students constantly involved in the play with the modified rules.

“We look forward to working with AFL Victoria to educate and support School Sport Victoria coordinators and Victorian schools through 2024 ahead of the full implementation of the 9v9 format as the School Sport Victoria Australian Football Primary competition in 2025.”

To support schools taking part, AFL Victoria will provide 9v9 kits consisting of balls, goals and playing bibs for SSV Coordinators. Additionally, there will be a focus on educating students, schools, teachers and SSV Coordinators on the new format, rules, umpiring and the ground set up at the Gala Days for this year and in preparation for 2025.

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Full list of locations and dates by region below.

2024 SSV AND AFL VICTORIA AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL PRIMARY SCHOOL 9v9 COMPETITION

EASTERN METROPOLITAN REGION

• Dandenong Ranges / Yarra - Friday 2nd August: Wally Tew Reserve, Ferntree Gully

• Boroondara - Friday 9th August: Lynden Park, Camberwell Oval 1 & 2

• Manningham/Whitehorse/Maroondah - Monday 26th August: Templestowe Reserve

• Knox/Monash - Friday 30th August: Lewis Park, Wantirna South

NORTHERN METROPOLITAN REGION

• Woodlands (Craigieburn, Broadmedows) - Wednesday July 31st: Highgate Reserve

• Nillumbik - Wednesday August 14th: Coventry Oval & Marngrook Oval (Diamond Creek)

• Whittlesea - Thursday August 22nd: Epping Recreation Reserve

• Banyule/Darebin / Inner North / Moreland - Friday August 23rd: Ford Park, Ivanhoe

SOUTHERN METROPOLITAN REGION

• Cardinia/Casey North/Casey South - Wednesday August 7th: Casey Fields Oval 2 & 3

• Northern Peninsula/ Southern Peninsula - Monday 12th August: Red Hill Recreation Reserve

• Beachside (Sth Melb - Mentone) - Friday August 16th: Caulfield Park Ovals 5 & 6

• Greater Dandenong - Wednesday, August 21st: Greaves Reserve

• Kingston - Wednesday 28th August: Le Page Park Ovals 1 & 2

WESTERN METROPOLITAN REGION

• Keilor/ Maribyrnong/Moonee Ponds - Wednesday 17th July: Aberfeldie Park West

• Bellarine/ Geelong North - Tuesday 23rd July and Thursday 1st Aug: South Barwon Reserve, Geelong

• Western Rangers (Melton area) - Thursday August 8th: Arnolds Creek Recreation Reserve

• Hobsons Bay - Thursday 8th August: JK Grant Reserve, Altona

• Wyndham - Tuesday 13th August: Galvin Park Reserve, Werribee

GIPPSLAND

• East Gippsland/ Wellington - Monday August 19th: Bairnsdale City Oval - Bairnsdale

• La Trobe Valley/ South Gippsland/ West Gippsland - Monday August 5th: Moe Racecourse - Moe

GREATER WESTERN

• Little Desert - Tuesday 23rd July: Dimboola Recreation Reserve - Dimboola

• Eureka/Sovereign - Wednesday 24th July: Vic Park - Ballarat

• Black Rangers - Tuesday 30th July: Gordon Street Reserve - Ararat

• Colac - Tuesday 6th August: Central Reserve - Colac

• Warrnambool/Hamilton/Portland - Thursday 8th August: Mack Oval - Warrnambool

HUME

• Goulburn Murray - Wednesday 24th July: Mooroopna Rec Reserve - Mooroopna

• The Rangers (Mansfield/Benalla) - Monday 12th August: Benalla Showgrounds and Rundle Oval

• Ovens & Mitta/Upper Hume (Wang, Wodonga) - Wednesday 14th August: Wangaratta Barr Reserve - Wangaratta

LODDON MALLEE

• Goldfields - Monday 22nd July: Princes Park and Jubilee Oval - Maryborough

• Sunraysia/ Sunraysia South - Thursday 25th July: Old Aerodrome Ovals - Mildura

• Campaspe (Echuca) - Thursday 1st August: Jack Eddy Oval - Moama

• Mallee - Wednesday 7th August: Swan Hill Rec Reserve and Alan Garden Reserve - Swan Hill

• Sandhurst (Bendigo region) - Wednesday 21st August: Epsom Huntly Reserve - Epsom