Fun, fitness, tackle-free footy - get involved in AFL Nines
This spring it's time to hit the park for a new season of AFL Nines – a dynamic footy format that's perfect for staying active, having fun and connecting with friends.
Since the AFL launched its revitalised Nines program last year, the format has attracted more than 6,600 registered participants across Australia in 2024, with that number set to rise as the peak spring and summer periods kick off.
This fast-paced format of the game centres around developing skills through modified match play, while reaping the benefits of keeping fit, having fun and building friendships.
Playing one game a week at local venues for a season no longer than 10 weeks in duration, the nine-a-side game is set on a smaller field and is tackle-free ensuring everyone gets a touch, feels welcome and safe to give it a go – ideal for those keen to have fun playing a team sport without pressure, big time commitments or footy experience.
Nines is also suited to those who have played the game but are maybe looking for a more relaxed way to participate, or their full-on footy career is behind them and Nines presents an opportunity to run around and have a kick with mates. women and girls make up nearly 35 per cent of the national total of Nines participants.
Competitions vary depending on where you live, simply register for the grade that suits you. There's Youth (13-17), Seniors (18-34) and Masters (34+) in male, female and mixed divisions.
There are 10 centres located in Victoria for the upcoming spring/summer season:
AFL Victoria delivered competitions:
- Caulfield AFL Nines – 280 Balaclava road, Caulfield North
- Geelong AFL Nines – Belmont Common, Belmont
- Brunswick AFL Nines – A/174 Donald Street, Brunswick East
- Glen Iris AFL Nines – 1002 Crescent Road, Glen Iris
- Chelsea AFL Nines – Chelsea Recreation Reserve, Chelsea
League delivered AFL Nines Pilots:
- WFNL AFL Nines - Skinner Reserve, Braybrook
- SMJFL AFL Nines – Caulfield Park, Caulfield
- SEJ AFL Nines – Livingstone Recreation Reserve, Cranbourne east
- BFNL AFL Nines - City Oval, Lake Wendouree
- Gippsland AFL Nines – Logan Park, Warragul
Find out more and register for AFL Nines at centre near you: play.afl/nines
- Nine-a-side with a maximum of 10 games per season
- There's no training, just one mid-week game per week
- Players are only permitted to take one bounce
- Game time consists of two twenty-minute halves plus a five-minute break at half time
- The modified ground is 100m x 50m
- There's no minimum distance for a mark to be awarded
- A mark will be paid if reasonable control is shown, and players are protected by a drop zone when attempting a mark
- There is one field umpire
- Players start in three zones – three in defence, three in the middle and three in the forward zone