About This Competition
The Northern States Cup is an Australian Football Schools Competition for Under 14 students. Launched in 2008, the competition is contested between Queensland, New South Wales/ACT and the Northern Territory, with the national finals alternating between Queensland and New South Wales each year.
Developed by the AFL to create a participation pathway for players and schools at the Under 14 level in the Northern States, the competition will aim to increase student involvement in Australia Football. It will also allow the talented juniors in these states to showcase their skills to AFL scouts and recruiters when competing in Sydney or Brisbane.
Queensland has won four out of the five Northern States Cups, with the Gold Coast's Helensvale State High School winning in 2009 and Palm Beach Currumbin State High School triple premiers 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Competition Format
Stage 1: Regional carnival day - Brisbane Lions Cup or Gold Coast SUNS Cup
Schools initially compete against other teams from their local AFLQ region.
For local dates, regional pool finals and other dates CLICK HERE.
Stage 2: Pool Final - Brisbane Lions Cup or Gold Coast SUNS Cup
Regional winners play a round-robin/knock-out final against another Regional winner:
Brisbane Lions Cup:
Pool A: Bundaberg/Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane North
Pool B: Brisbane South East, Brisbane West, Darling Downs
Gold Coast SUNS Cup:
Pool A: Cairns/CY, Townsville
Pool B: Capricornia, Mackay
Pool C: Gold Coast, Northern Rivers
Stage 3: Cup Final - (Late July/Early August, date TBA)
Pool Final winners play a round-robin final against other Pool Winners.
Stage 4: Northern States Cup Qualifier - Date TBC
The Lions Cup winner and SUNS Cup winner will face off against the Schools of Excellence Junior winner to determine who represents Queensland in the Northern States Cup alongside the best schools from NSW/ACT and NT.
Stage 5: Northern States Cup Grand Final : 20-22 September 2013
State Winners from Queensland, NSW/ACT (2) and Northern Territory travel to Sydney to decide who will be the best Australian 'Northern States' AFL team.
Competition Handbook
For information on rules, playing conditions and all other relevant information, the competition handbook will be available shortly here.
The Northern States Cup (Sept 20-22, Sydney) championship handbook will be available here later this year.
