At the end of the 2019 season, AFL Queensland committed to re-launching the Darling Downs Crows as an Under 16 Boys program. Historically, the Darling Downs Crows have been a regional side across the Under 14 and Under 18 age groups who played in the South East Queensland junior competitions for a number of seasons. The program was agreed to be brought back in the Under 16 space to fill the void of a fully fledged local competition in this age group for at least the 2020-21 seasons.
Due to impacts relating to the COVID pandemic, the Darling Downs Crows program did not go ahead for the 2020 season, however the sights are now firmly set on 2021.
The side is designed to consist of any U16 male participants from within the Darling Downs wishing to participate, with the side playing in the SEQ Juniors competition. Training and home matches would be held in Toowoomba, with away matches played at a variety of locations across South East QLD pending the 2021 competition structure.
Whilst the side will represent all of our clubs in the region, it is not a ‘representative side’ as such and will have a strong focus on the Crows players maintaining links to their local clubs to build a connection and pathway into senior football which remains a priority for AFL Queensland in the region.
Any participants who are interested should complete the below expression of interest form. There will be an information session for all participants in early December (Date TBC), details of which will be sent to all of those who’ve expressed interest in playing;
https://www.cognitoforms.com/AFLQueensland/_2021AFLDDU16CrowsEOI
Applications to the coaching and management positions of the side are also open, and can be accessed via the link below;
https://www.cognitoforms.com/AFLQueensland/_2021AFLDDU16CrowsCoachManagementApplications
For more information, please contact AFLQ – Darling Downs Competition Manager – mitchell.simpson@afl.com.au.
