Year in Review: North NSW

It was a year of change for AFL in Northern NSW with new initiatives helping the region record its highest participation numbers on record.

In May junior and senior representative footy was conducted on the same day for the first time in Port Macquarie at Wayne Richards Park.

July saw all six AFL North Coast Senior clubs play in Coffs Harbour on a ‘Super Saturday’ event which concluded with a dinner where guest speakers from AFL NSW/ACT including Deputy General Manager Craig Bolton and State Operating & Major Projects Manager Joseph La Posta.

The region conducted its first multicultural program with 30 attendees and a number of these went on to play in the Coffs Harbour PS team that won the local Paul Kelly Cup. 

Local talent also flourished with Gunnedah’s Sam Naismith spending his first year on the Sydney Swans rookie list, and AFL NSW/ACT casual development officer and Sawtell/Toormina player Jake Saunders playing some games for the Sydney Swans reserves in the NEAFL.