AFL Queensland has endorsed schools of excellence throughout Queensland, with AFL offered as a subject across year levels. On the Gold Coast Palm Beach Currumbin SHS and Helensvale SHS run excellence programs with Benowa SHS to commence in the future. In Brisbane, Park Ridge SHS, Victoria Point SHS, Sandgate District SHS and Narangba Valley SHS all offer excellence programs while Mountain Creek SHS offer the only AFL Excellence program on the Sunshine Coast. In North Queensland, Townsville’s William Ross SHS and Kirwan SHS both offer excellence programs in AFL. Mackay’s Pioneer SHS will look to establish an Excellence program to offer students in the future.

The AFL Schools of Excellence program is designed to use the game of Australian Football as a vehicle to deliver educational outcomes. It consists of a theory and practical component and is facilitated by teachers who are trained and qualified in the delivery of the game. Within the syllabus the schools play a season of football against each other, with AFL Queensland acting as the competition convenor.

The majority of the course takes place in the school grounds but there are exceptions, with games and excursions taking place throughout the school year.





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The bulk of the course takes place during school time throughout the school year but there are times when competitions are played outside school time.

AFL Queensland believes that Australian Football is not only an option for a career pathway, with the game employing hundreds of people all over Australia, but is also a great educational tool. In the six schools of excellence across Queensland, the game is used as a motivating factor to encourage students to become more involved in their own education. The schools implement AFL curriculum resources, the latest of which is a values based educational unit that encourages Harmony, Teamwork, Respect, Fair Play and Leadership.