RECORD

One hundred years since the first ball was bounced,
AFL Canberra has a lot to celebrate. The competition
has gone from strength to strength and now faces a
brand new challenge in a higher level of competition.
It almost seems fitting that we celebrate a centenary
of football in such magnitude.
It’s hard to believe that a century ago 22 players
gathered on a field to participate in a recreational
game of Australian football, which in turn started the
competition that we now see today. Since that game
we have seen 86 years of competition, 22 different
clubs participating with 14 different premiers. With the
strength of the current competition and the addition of
the GWS GIANTS, I confidently say that I am looking
forward to celebrating 100 years of competition in
2024.
The brand new North Eastern Australian Football
League (NEAFL) is an exciting development for
football in the ACT region. The competition will
provide a new level of football unlike any seen before
it in the ACT. It will match our local teams against the
best in Queensland and the Northern Territory, forcing
our clubs to perform at a high level to compete
with some of the nation’s best amateur footballers.
Although this sounds like a mammoth task, I believe
we will see Canberra football flourish after great
success at the national level coming third in last years
Australian Country Football Carnival.
It is very pleasing to kick off a centenary of football
with a clash that promises to be one of the most
important games in Canberra’s history. This game
will showcase the quality that is produced in our local
clubs and give these players a chance to show their
Once again Canberra AFL
has received a great deal
of support from the
local government and
Minister Andrew Barr
which allows the
competition to function
at its highest level
without restraint.
skills to talent scouts that are looking to add to the
GIANTS’ roster.
The union between GWS GIANTS and the ACT will
provide Canberra with a great opportunity to grow
Australian football. This year we see the Giants join
the local competition, as the Swans did in 2003
and next year we will be host to four AFL games at
Manuka Oval.
I am very excited about this year’s competition
structure and prospects it provides for the local clubs
to grow in the future.
Regards,
Mr. Gerard Rees - Chair
AFL Canberra