Did You Know? – Northern NSW
Four Leagues operate in Northern NSW, two senior leagues; AFL North Coast & Tamworth Australian Football league(TAFL), and two junior leagues; AFL North Coast & Mid North Coast Junior AFL.
There were 3,861 AFL participants in 2011, 41% of these played with a club.
Northern NSW aims to have over 6,500 participants by 2016.
Coffs Harbour’s BCU International Stadium has been upgraded to 1500 Lux lighting which is television broadcast quality lighting.
The QBE Sydney Swans Academy – North Coast is based in Coffs Harbour, with small training groups at Maclean and Port Macquarie for players aged 12 and older.
Two Mid North Coast youth girls, Corinne Wilkes & Eleanor Wright represented NSW at the Youth Girls Australian U18 Championships in 2012.
The first AFL 9s competition in Northern NSW was conducted in Port Macquarie in 2011 and attracted 8 mixed teams.
In 2012, an Under 15 youth competition is being established in the North West NSW region under the TAFL (Tamworth AFL).
Throughout 2011-2012 new Club Auskick Centres have been established in Narrabri, Glen Innes & Taree.
NAB AFL Auskick Centres play half time games at both Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast & the SCG.
AFL Hall of Fame Member, John Rantall resides in Northern NSW and coaches the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.