2021 Junior Representative Football

North West have been invited to enter teams in the U13 (mixed), U15 Boys, U17 Boys and U17 Girls age groups to play in the Northern NSW Challenge during the July school holidays (6-7 July). At this carnival, the North West teams will come up against players and teams from the North Coast, Hunter Coast, Central Coast, and South Coast. 

Rep teams will be drawn from the U14’s and U17’s teams and will include those eligible age-appropriate youth playing in the senior competition due to unavailability of local Junior/Youth team.  

Nominations from any Junior/Youth player wanting to participate are welcome. Expressions of Interest for Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Support Volunteers are also being accepted. All nominations and EOI are to be received by AFLNW no later than 6pm, Wednesday 12 May 2021. 

The chance to progress through a talent pathway is important to players who want to test themselves and play at the highest level possible. Regional Representative Football provides that first important step in the talent development pathway that leads from local club footy all the way to the AFL & AFLW. 

Further opportunities to participate in the development and talent pathways include the Northern Heat representative AFL program which comprises the best Under 16, 17, and 18 players from the North Coast and North West regions. Players are selected into the program based on their performance at the Northern NSW Challenge.  

This off-season program exists to extend the representative pathway for the players of the regions and provide them with a further avenue to build their game ahead of making the transition into senior footy. 

The Northern Heat program finishes with a match against the Southport Colts and from this, Heat players have been invited to trial with the Southport Sharks team that plays in the East Coast/VFL competition. 

Opportunities for female players include the AFL NSW/ACT partnership with the North Inland Academy of Sport to offer an AFL program that provides the first step on the female talent pathway leading to the AFLW. The program has an emphasis on providing greater skills development, strength and conditioning support and physical preparation, together with an ancillary sports education program. 

U14 & U16 Girls will have the opportunity to attend the Academy Games held in Newcastle each April and compete against fellow academy AFL squads 

Selection in the NSW/ACT AFL Under 16 and Under 18 State Teams to compete at National Championships starts with inclusion in the North Inland Academy of Sport program. 

2021 Representative Football Timeline 

May 

Wednesday 12 May – Nominations close 6pm 

June 

TBC – Squad training (potentially during school holidays) 

July  

July 6 and 7 – Northern NSW Challenger (Coffs Harbour Carnival).  

U13 (mixed), U15 Boys, U17 Boys and U17 Girls teams 

October – March 

Northern Heat Program  

Northern Inland Academy of Sport Program 

Player Selection Process 

AFL North West Junior Representative player selection process will follow the below: 

• Local Clubs are to manage the nomination of players and submit lists to AFL North West Representative Football Coordinator 
• Nomination forms to be provided to local clubs. 

Minimum requirement for player selections: 

• Must be a registered player at their local club  
• Must have played at least 3 junior games (where applicable) prior to the Representative Carnival 
• Must be available for all training sessions, online team meetings and carnival 
• Medical certificate or equivalent can be provided to justify absence 
• Must not be suspended at time of carnival 
• Must have been nominated/ endorsed by their local club by the close of nominations (Wed 12 May 21)  
• Agree to the league mandatory fee, payable prior to participating in Representative Carnival 

Coach Selection 

AFL North West Junior Representative coaching selection process will follow the below: 

• Call for EOI 
• Coaches to register interest via nomination form (to be provided to clubs) 

Minimum requirement for Coaches to be selected:  

• Application submitted to AFL North West Representative Football Coordinator by 6pm Wednesday 12 May 21 
• Commit to attending all training sessions, online team meetings and carnival 
• Coaches to be appointed by AFLNW as per the EOI process listed above. 
• Coach and Assistant will be from different clubs (where possible) 
• Must have Junior/Youth Foundation (Level 1) accreditation and minimum 1 year experience at club level  
• Endorsed by local club  
• Must adhere to code of conduct, 
• AFL North West reserves the right to remove a coach who does not abide by the Code of Conduct 

Assistant Coach & Volunteer Support Staff Selection 

Assistant coach and support staff selection process will follow the below: 

• Call for EOI 
• Email interest to AFL North West Representative Football Coordinator 

Minimum requirement for Assistant Coaches and Support Staff:   

• Application submitted to AFL North West Representative Football Coordinator by 6pm Wednesday 12 May 21 
• Commit to attending the Representative Carnival.
• Assistant Coaches and volunteer support staff will be advised by AFLNW  
• Must adhere to code of conduct, 
• AFL North West reserves the right to remove any person who does not abide by the Code of Conduct 

Note: All coaches, assistants, and volunteer support staff older than 18 years of age must hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC)