The inaugural AFL Queensland Schools Cup kicks off tomorrow, with regional pool games in Darling Downs and the Sunshine Coast.
A whopping 174 schools with a total of 384 teams have entered the competition, which will culminate in a grand finals day at Maroochydore on Sunday October 16.
The competition will see three winning boys and three winning girls’ teams crowned AFL Queensland Schools Cup state champions across three divisions; Primary, Junior (Grades 7 – 9) and Senior (Grades 10 – 12).
AFL Queensland Schools and Universities Program Manager Amy Anderton said the response to the new competition had been overwhelming.
“To have 384 teams signed on for the first year of the AFL Queensland Schools Cup is a fantastic result,” said Anderton.
“Schools are excited to see a genuine state championship title on offer, that will help them to grow AFL within their school sport programs and curriculum.”
Anderton said the breakdown of school nominations highlighted the demand for equitable sporting pathways for boys and girls.
“There are 68 teams registered in the Senior Female Division compared to 63 in the Senior Male Division which shows the incredible growth of female football over the last few years,” she said.
“With so many schools entered from across the state there is also an enormous amount of diversity, which is really pleasing.”
“From Rockhampton Grammar School and Kirwin State High School Townsville in the North, to the Islamic College of Brisbane and Brisbane State High, there is a great spread of schools. We also have the Sunset State School from Mt Isa making a 20 hour round trip to compete in Townsville.”
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ABOUT THE AFL QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS CUP
The AFL Queensland Schools Cup is a new premier schools competition that will see six schools crowned 2016 state champions.
The state-wide, interschool competition for boys and girls runs across three divisions; Primary, Junior (Years 7 – 9) and Senior (Years 10 – 12).
The competition will culminate in state grand finals to be held at Maroochydore on Sunday October 16, 2016.
Schools can progress through to finals via one of three formats;
- AFL Queensland Schools Cup: an in-term interschool competition
- AFL Queensland Schools Challenge: Easter School Holiday Carnival
- AFL Queensland Schools of Excellence Division: an in-term interschool competition
Most schools have chosen to participate in the AFL Queensland School Cup format, consisting of regional pool games during term 1 that will see winners progress through to regional finals, then state finals.
AFL Queensland Schools Challenge Carnival and Schools of Excellence Division winners will enter the competition at the qualifying and semi-final stages.
The competition culminates with three winning boys and three winning girls’ teams crowned AFL Queensland Schools Cup State Champions.
The AFL Queensland Schools Cup is proudly supported By BLK
