-
LIVE: St Kilda v Western Bulldogs - 7:30PM Thu
Squiggle tips Saints at 51% chance -- What's your tip? -- Team line-ups »
Grassroots Footy in NSW
- Thread starter Colonial
- Start date
- Tagged users None
- Nov 23, 2015
- 11,797
- 17,436
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Apr 12, 2012
- 46,167
- 41,966
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Thread starter
- #79
- Apr 12, 2012
- 46,167
- 41,966
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Thread starter
- #80
- Apr 12, 2012
- 46,167
- 41,966
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Thread starter
- #81
Massive news
aflnswact.com.au
Media Release: AFL Sydney matches to be streamed LIVE and FREE on Kayo - AFL NSW / ACT
AFL NSW/ACT is excited to announce Kayo will stream AFL Sydney’s match of the round in the Men’s and Women’s Premier Division competitions live and on-demand throughout Season 2021. The new broadcast opportunity with Kayo gives fans, friends and families…Read more ›
BringBackTorps
Club Legend
- Jan 5, 2017
- 2,963
- 1,827
- AFL Club
- GWS
Daily Telegraph P. Kent 30. 4.21
Article refers to strong growth of GR AF in Central West NSW.
The creation of GWS has obviously played a part in this growth, which has occured despite the increasingly omnipresent Penrith NRL club; & its post 2017 Academies at Bathurst, Dubbo, & Forbes (all high profile, & Penrith- branded Central West clubs).
[QUOTE "AFL invasion of country footy means expansion goalposts have well and truly moved
Before we worry about the alleged inequities of any NRL conference system let’s ask where will the talent come from to fill two teams writes Paul Kent.
The solution to both is there in front of us.
A day after news broke about a dual-conference system in the NRL, Craig Bellamy is on the phone and we are talking about what seems to be one of the great concerns about this idea of expansion.
Bellamy’s concern is like that of almost all the coaches, which is a lack of talent to spread across all 17, and perhaps eventually 18, teams.
This competition is already divided into teams that can win the premiership and those struggling to improve, and already the NRL is talking about adding one and then another team who, under the rules of simple mathematics, means they are adding the 481st- to 540th-ranked best players in the land.
![[IMG]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7 "[IMG]")
Storm head coach Craig Bellamy doesn’t think there is enough talent to fill two new teams in the NRL. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
For those a little mathematically challenged, the first 480 are already contracted to the 16 NRL clubs.
How does that make the competition better?
Bellamy is worried there is not enough good players to spread across the NRL already.
“Back in the day when you and I played,” he says, generously assuming I had a day, “all you could do was play footy.
“Nowadays there’s so many other things they can do.”
He starts talking about Melbourne’s game against Penrith in Bathurst in 2019 and of their bus trip after the game, driving through the dark streets of Bathurst when suddenly the world lit up.
Bellamy grew up not far away, at Portland just outside of Lithgow, hidden behind the Wallerawang Power Station.
And here out of the darkness rose an AFL field lit up like the cornfield in Field of Dreams, with grass you could play snooker on.
Next to it was a smaller AFL ground.
“The AFL have spread their wings all through our areas,” Bellamy says. “They had two AFL grounds.”
Retired NRL great Noel Cleal has spoken about his fears for bush footy. Picture: Nathan Edwards
Two AFL grounds. He could not believe it. There wasn’t an AFL competition in the central west when Bellamy grew up and now they have these two big beautiful AFL grounds, shining like diamonds, as the AFL marches across rugby league heartlands.
Then, in the same week, Noel Cleal, bush football’s greatest patriot, declares he has not seen bush football in a worse state in his 50 years of involvement with the bush.
The two are most definitely related, and the NRL need to realise this as soon as possible.
Bush clubs are dying through lack of player numbers. Competitions are folding or merging because it no longer seems fun beating up on the same two clubs in a three-team competition.
Where towns once had second and even third grades now they struggle to put out a first grade competition, age-group football is shrinking.
Over the years, the NRL and previously the ARL have offered any number of reasons why this is so, the arc bordering from arrogance to incompetence.
All the way back in 1994 I wrote a column when it had already begun. It was clear then the game was already in some decline.
The column asked why the Australian Rugby League was spending $1.5 million a year on development in country NSW and country Queensland while the AFL was already spending $6 million, four times as much, in the same areas.
The ARL scoffed at the AFL’s stupidity.
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys must walk a fine line between expansion of the NRL and hurting country football. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Those are rugby league heartlands, they said, and the AFL is dreaming if they ever think they will have a presence there.
And now you think of Bellamy’s AFL goalposts in Bathurst.
Whenever I got letters or emails after that from good country people worrying about the state of the bush game I would ask the NRL what they were doing and the answer was a broad brush response that did nothing.
“It’s not just bush football that’s dying,” they’d say, “the bush is dying.”
In other words, nothing we can do. Even if, in some towns, they were right. Kids were fleeing to the city.
But the trick is to adapt and move forward, which they never seemed too bothered with.
Or perhaps had no answers. Or maybe it was too tough, the job too big.
Some years later, AFL boss Andrew Demetriou called in the heavy hitters in his game and, in a secret meeting, declared they were going to take on rugby league.
Demetriou explained they were going to take a subversive approach, borrowed straight from a military textbook.
We are going to go after the hearts and minds of the mothers, he said, and we are going to take their land.
So the AFL approached councils like the one in western Sydney, who oversaw a dusty, yellow-grassed eyesore some called a footy field and the AFL offered to resurface the entire oval and then pay for a greenkeeper to maintain the ground every week.
With there being no such thing as a free lunch, the council asked what they wanted in return.
“Just take down the rugby league posts and put up AFL posts,” the AFL said.
That was it.
And now you think of Bellamy’s AFL goalposts.
The AFL was launching a 20-year war, going after the next generation.
And now as the game tries to expand at the top they wonder why there might not be enough talent to go around.
The two are clearly related.
The answer is not merely expensive academies for elite talent, which helps the NRL clubs mostly. The NRL already has the elite players, the quiet truth being they now come from a dwindling pool.
The answer is participation, winning back all that ground surrendered to the AFL.
Only strength through numbers will make the game thrive, and it needs a whole of game approach to achieve it.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...d/news-story/a4aed11b04f04041c6879f76d899831e
Article refers to strong growth of GR AF in Central West NSW.
The creation of GWS has obviously played a part in this growth, which has occured despite the increasingly omnipresent Penrith NRL club; & its post 2017 Academies at Bathurst, Dubbo, & Forbes (all high profile, & Penrith- branded Central West clubs).
[QUOTE "AFL invasion of country footy means expansion goalposts have well and truly moved
Before we worry about the alleged inequities of any NRL conference system let’s ask where will the talent come from to fill two teams writes Paul Kent.
The solution to both is there in front of us.
A day after news broke about a dual-conference system in the NRL, Craig Bellamy is on the phone and we are talking about what seems to be one of the great concerns about this idea of expansion.
Bellamy’s concern is like that of almost all the coaches, which is a lack of talent to spread across all 17, and perhaps eventually 18, teams.
This competition is already divided into teams that can win the premiership and those struggling to improve, and already the NRL is talking about adding one and then another team who, under the rules of simple mathematics, means they are adding the 481st- to 540th-ranked best players in the land.
Storm head coach Craig Bellamy doesn’t think there is enough talent to fill two new teams in the NRL. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
For those a little mathematically challenged, the first 480 are already contracted to the 16 NRL clubs.
How does that make the competition better?
Bellamy is worried there is not enough good players to spread across the NRL already.
“Back in the day when you and I played,” he says, generously assuming I had a day, “all you could do was play footy.
“Nowadays there’s so many other things they can do.”
He starts talking about Melbourne’s game against Penrith in Bathurst in 2019 and of their bus trip after the game, driving through the dark streets of Bathurst when suddenly the world lit up.
Bellamy grew up not far away, at Portland just outside of Lithgow, hidden behind the Wallerawang Power Station.
And here out of the darkness rose an AFL field lit up like the cornfield in Field of Dreams, with grass you could play snooker on.
Next to it was a smaller AFL ground.
“The AFL have spread their wings all through our areas,” Bellamy says. “They had two AFL grounds.”
Retired NRL great Noel Cleal has spoken about his fears for bush footy. Picture: Nathan Edwards
Two AFL grounds. He could not believe it. There wasn’t an AFL competition in the central west when Bellamy grew up and now they have these two big beautiful AFL grounds, shining like diamonds, as the AFL marches across rugby league heartlands.
Then, in the same week, Noel Cleal, bush football’s greatest patriot, declares he has not seen bush football in a worse state in his 50 years of involvement with the bush.
The two are most definitely related, and the NRL need to realise this as soon as possible.
Bush clubs are dying through lack of player numbers. Competitions are folding or merging because it no longer seems fun beating up on the same two clubs in a three-team competition.
Where towns once had second and even third grades now they struggle to put out a first grade competition, age-group football is shrinking.
Over the years, the NRL and previously the ARL have offered any number of reasons why this is so, the arc bordering from arrogance to incompetence.
All the way back in 1994 I wrote a column when it had already begun. It was clear then the game was already in some decline.
The column asked why the Australian Rugby League was spending $1.5 million a year on development in country NSW and country Queensland while the AFL was already spending $6 million, four times as much, in the same areas.
The ARL scoffed at the AFL’s stupidity.
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys must walk a fine line between expansion of the NRL and hurting country football. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Those are rugby league heartlands, they said, and the AFL is dreaming if they ever think they will have a presence there.
And now you think of Bellamy’s AFL goalposts in Bathurst.
Whenever I got letters or emails after that from good country people worrying about the state of the bush game I would ask the NRL what they were doing and the answer was a broad brush response that did nothing.
“It’s not just bush football that’s dying,” they’d say, “the bush is dying.”
In other words, nothing we can do. Even if, in some towns, they were right. Kids were fleeing to the city.
But the trick is to adapt and move forward, which they never seemed too bothered with.
Or perhaps had no answers. Or maybe it was too tough, the job too big.
Some years later, AFL boss Andrew Demetriou called in the heavy hitters in his game and, in a secret meeting, declared they were going to take on rugby league.
Demetriou explained they were going to take a subversive approach, borrowed straight from a military textbook.
We are going to go after the hearts and minds of the mothers, he said, and we are going to take their land.
So the AFL approached councils like the one in western Sydney, who oversaw a dusty, yellow-grassed eyesore some called a footy field and the AFL offered to resurface the entire oval and then pay for a greenkeeper to maintain the ground every week.
With there being no such thing as a free lunch, the council asked what they wanted in return.
“Just take down the rugby league posts and put up AFL posts,” the AFL said.
That was it.
And now you think of Bellamy’s AFL goalposts.
The AFL was launching a 20-year war, going after the next generation.
And now as the game tries to expand at the top they wonder why there might not be enough talent to go around.
The two are clearly related.
The answer is not merely expensive academies for elite talent, which helps the NRL clubs mostly. The NRL already has the elite players, the quiet truth being they now come from a dwindling pool.
The answer is participation, winning back all that ground surrendered to the AFL.
Only strength through numbers will make the game thrive, and it needs a whole of game approach to achieve it.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...d/news-story/a4aed11b04f04041c6879f76d899831e
Last edited:
- Apr 12, 2012
- 46,167
- 41,966
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Thread starter
- #83
The suburban Sydney club that became the AFL’s unlikeliest football factory
How can a team based in Sydney’s upper north shore be such a big producer of AFL talent? The answer lies deeper than just what’s in the water at Pennant Hills.
- Apr 12, 2012
- 46,167
- 41,966
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Thread starter
- #85
Supporting Grassroots Football with Harvey Norman
https://www.gwsgiants.com.au/video/...-norman?videoId=1028038&modal=true&type=video
https://www.gwsgiants.com.au/video/...-norman?videoId=1028038&modal=true&type=video
- Mar 5, 2015
- 1,720
- 2,069
- AFL Club
- Western Bulldogs
- Other Teams
- Marconi, Arsenal, GreenEdge
Giants are, and have been since they started, doing an amazing job at furthering the sport out here in the bush. Im in Dubbo, we never saw the Swans, but as soon as the Giants got started their presence was felt out here. Really positive approach by your club. Kudos.
That April article from the Tele was spot on.
That April article from the Tele was spot on.
- Apr 8, 2004
- 1,315
- 169
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
- Other Teams
- Liverpool member, GWS Fdn member
I never understand where the arrogance of peanuts like V'landys and other NRL people came from, these people forget that Australian Football has existed in this country since the Gold Rush era, it was 50 years before RL started here. We were playing Aussie Rules in NSW and QLD long before RL existed as a sport in its own right.
Read up on Balmain Aussie Rules club in the 19th century, They existed before any RL team did in the area.
Rugby Union on the hand was a game only played by private schools in NSW/QLD, there has never been any code competition in this country.
Only NRL supporters think like that.
BringBackTorps
Club Legend
- Jan 5, 2017
- 2,963
- 1,827
- AFL Club
- GWS
The 4-week Summer Series (2 GWS teams, 2 Swans teams), for nominated, advanced NSW & ACT women, who have aspirations to play in the Giants' & Swans' AFLW teams, commences 12.2.22.
Giants' listed players, who are not selected to play for the Giants' AFLW team, will also play in this Series
There are only 9 women from the NSW Riverina selected (& 1 actually plays in the ACT comp., for Queanbeyan), from the 129 trialists in the Series.
This is a major embarassment for Riverina AF clubs (& a major setback for the Giants' AFLW team), as the Riverina is AF heartland.
sydneyafl.com.au
(For the team lists/club of origin, click on the "here" in blue, in the link)
In contrast, the Newcastle Hunter Central Coast, North Coast, & New England NW comps have a total 29 trialists- even though AF is a minor sport in these areas, cf the Riverina AF heartland.
As I have written many times on BF, the Riverina AF clubs (most who have affiliated netball teams) have been whiteanting Riverina GR female jnr & female snr AF.
"The AFL Riverina Review mentions:-
'...growth of female football, & the integration into AFL Riverina factoring in netball'.
'...factor in the community importance of netball'.
(The sthn. NSW GR AF Clubs & AFL Riverina should give priority to female AF, NOT netball! My words & emphases)"
www.bigfooty.com
Until 2017, there was only 1 adult female team in the Riverina, the Wagga-based Riverina Lions, who had to travel to Canberra (which had 8 teams) to play!
In 2018, there were only 5 adult women's teams, & in 2020, there were only 7 adult teams in the Riverina!
The Newcastle Hunter Central Coast comp. had 17 adult women's teams (& many more jnr girls' teams) in 2019, because their AF clubs gave strong encouragement to girls & women to play club AF; & their NHCC women play in a winter comp. (Ditto the Illawarra Wollongong comp., with 13 adult women's teams).
This is in contrast to the Riverina, where the local GR adult female H & A comp. starts it short 6 week season in Feb., often training & playing in the very hot sun. Jnr club females also have a short season.
The situation may be slowly changing, however, for adult women in the Riverina. It is my understanging that, in 2022, there will be 12 adult female teams- still far from enough enough for this AF heartland area, but a change in the right direction.
Very few Riverina-based players have made it into the AFLW up to 2022- one had to play in the ACT comp., another jnr had to travel to Wangaratta, to play for the Murray Bushrangers in the Vic. elite U18 NAB League.
Giants' listed players, who are not selected to play for the Giants' AFLW team, will also play in this Series
There are only 9 women from the NSW Riverina selected (& 1 actually plays in the ACT comp., for Queanbeyan), from the 129 trialists in the Series.
This is a major embarassment for Riverina AF clubs (& a major setback for the Giants' AFLW team), as the Riverina is AF heartland.
State Wide Women's Talent Search Kicks off this Weekend - AFL Sydney
One hundred and twenty of the best footballers from NSW and the ACT will compete in the first round of the Women’s Summer Series this Saturday, 12 February at Tom Wills Oval, Sydney Olympic Park. Four sides (two representing the…Read more ›
sydneyafl.com.au
In contrast, the Newcastle Hunter Central Coast, North Coast, & New England NW comps have a total 29 trialists- even though AF is a minor sport in these areas, cf the Riverina AF heartland.
As I have written many times on BF, the Riverina AF clubs (most who have affiliated netball teams) have been whiteanting Riverina GR female jnr & female snr AF.
"The AFL Riverina Review mentions:-
'...growth of female football, & the integration into AFL Riverina factoring in netball'.
'...factor in the community importance of netball'.
(The sthn. NSW GR AF Clubs & AFL Riverina should give priority to female AF, NOT netball! My words & emphases)"
A Third Team In Sydney - It's Only a Matter Of Time !!
Northern Beaches/North Shore is the right area for a new team. Not really, i would say Sydney wise Macarthur is the only area left. In saying that there is a club with a lot of history, 1 of the oldest in the state, and is one of the biggest grassroots clubs out there in the North Shore Bombers.
www.bigfooty.com
Until 2017, there was only 1 adult female team in the Riverina, the Wagga-based Riverina Lions, who had to travel to Canberra (which had 8 teams) to play!
In 2018, there were only 5 adult women's teams, & in 2020, there were only 7 adult teams in the Riverina!
The Newcastle Hunter Central Coast comp. had 17 adult women's teams (& many more jnr girls' teams) in 2019, because their AF clubs gave strong encouragement to girls & women to play club AF; & their NHCC women play in a winter comp. (Ditto the Illawarra Wollongong comp., with 13 adult women's teams).
This is in contrast to the Riverina, where the local GR adult female H & A comp. starts it short 6 week season in Feb., often training & playing in the very hot sun. Jnr club females also have a short season.
The situation may be slowly changing, however, for adult women in the Riverina. It is my understanging that, in 2022, there will be 12 adult female teams- still far from enough enough for this AF heartland area, but a change in the right direction.
Very few Riverina-based players have made it into the AFLW up to 2022- one had to play in the ACT comp., another jnr had to travel to Wangaratta, to play for the Murray Bushrangers in the Vic. elite U18 NAB League.
Last edited:
BringBackTorps
Club Legend
- Jan 5, 2017
- 2,963
- 1,827
- AFL Club
- GWS
Play On Podcast 30.3.22
S. Zycman, AFLNSW/ACT CEO said
"I think the impact of Buddy in the Sydney market has been amazing for our game, & obviously the Giants in the West has been a huge win as well for building our brand. I really think there is momentum building with the AFL in Sydney...I feel the AFL is beginning to position itself as the sport of choice...I'm biased, but the AFL are doing a lot of great things in Sydney, & I feel we are becoming, potentially, the sport of choice....
AFL Sydney [local Premier Division] footy is broadcast every weekend on Kayo, livestreamed for 3, 4, or 5 games in most Rounds. We're the only footy league in Australia on a platform like Kayo".
(Scroll to 38 mins. 2 secs.- 40 mins. 55.secs).
Ex-Swan R. O'Keefe, now of AFLNSW/ACT, said
"Tony Lockett & Barry Hall had a much bigger impact on footy in Sydney & NSW, compared to Buddy. Sydney was already successful when Buddy arrived. Plugger brought the game to the forefront of Sydney, when no-one knew anything about it. Plugger made a monumental difference, as did Barry Hall, compared with Buddy.
(Scroll to 45 mins 40 secs.- 46 mins. 50 secs.).
aflnswact.com.au
(Go to 30.3.22 podcast)
In 2018, GWS Chairman T. Shepherd said, for the AFL to reach its maximum potential & appeal in Sydney, it should not be played in the very heavily congested/multiple stoppages/low scoring style, but the former more free-flowing, & higher scoring style.
www.theage.com.au
The curent, scrappy, constant heavy flooding style of the AFL is counterproductive to promoting AF in NSW, ACT, & Qld. Sydney loves gun forwards, regularly kicking bags.!
The above Zyckman & O'Keefe conversation should also have mentioned W. Capper- a huge boost for AF in Sydney in the 1980's.
How much more quickly would the AFL, & GR AF, advance there if the AFL style was similar to the AFL's own "The Charter Of The Game"! And they actually played AF- Sydneysiders have seen already enough of boorish rugby!
S. Zycman, AFLNSW/ACT CEO said
"I think the impact of Buddy in the Sydney market has been amazing for our game, & obviously the Giants in the West has been a huge win as well for building our brand. I really think there is momentum building with the AFL in Sydney...I feel the AFL is beginning to position itself as the sport of choice...I'm biased, but the AFL are doing a lot of great things in Sydney, & I feel we are becoming, potentially, the sport of choice....
AFL Sydney [local Premier Division] footy is broadcast every weekend on Kayo, livestreamed for 3, 4, or 5 games in most Rounds. We're the only footy league in Australia on a platform like Kayo".
(Scroll to 38 mins. 2 secs.- 40 mins. 55.secs).
Ex-Swan R. O'Keefe, now of AFLNSW/ACT, said
"Tony Lockett & Barry Hall had a much bigger impact on footy in Sydney & NSW, compared to Buddy. Sydney was already successful when Buddy arrived. Plugger brought the game to the forefront of Sydney, when no-one knew anything about it. Plugger made a monumental difference, as did Barry Hall, compared with Buddy.
(Scroll to 45 mins 40 secs.- 46 mins. 50 secs.).
Podcast - AFL NSW / ACT
Our very own Simon Smyth and Ryan O’Keefe take to the airwaves to talk all things footy in NSW and the ACT. If you have a question or comment, please email playonpod@afl.com.au
(Go to 30.3.22 podcast)
In 2018, GWS Chairman T. Shepherd said, for the AFL to reach its maximum potential & appeal in Sydney, it should not be played in the very heavily congested/multiple stoppages/low scoring style, but the former more free-flowing, & higher scoring style.
GWS chief: 'Ugly' congested style impacting on AFL's northern sell
Greater Western Sydney chairman Tony Shepherd has raised concerns about the on-field look of the game.www.theage.com.au
The curent, scrappy, constant heavy flooding style of the AFL is counterproductive to promoting AF in NSW, ACT, & Qld. Sydney loves gun forwards, regularly kicking bags.!
The above Zyckman & O'Keefe conversation should also have mentioned W. Capper- a huge boost for AF in Sydney in the 1980's.
How much more quickly would the AFL, & GR AF, advance there if the AFL style was similar to the AFL's own "The Charter Of The Game"! And they actually played AF- Sydneysiders have seen already enough of boorish rugby!
BringBackTorps
Club Legend
- Jan 5, 2017
- 2,963
- 1,827
- AFL Club
- GWS
The AFL has launched "Quickkick", an Australia-wide initiative, for women born between 1930(!) -1987, who want to learn the skills of AF. It is designed to be an entry-level program for women who may later wish to play female comp. AF.
http://aflmasters.com.au/quickkick/
"There has already been a large take up across the country, with more than 2,000 people signing up within days of QuickKick’s launch. Among them is a multiple Grand Slam tennis champion and a 73-year-old!.
Of the current registered participants, one third are from NSW or Queensland... (my emphases)".
(As c. 700 women, "within days of Quickkick's launch", joined from NSW & Qld., this is a very good result for non-heartland States, in such a short period.
Interestingly, in Sydney, WS & SS are the only clinics established- not NS, ES, North WS, & Inner WS, where GR AF is far stronger. Newcastle & Wollongong, where AF is only a niche sport, were also chosen).
aflnswact.com.au
http://aflmasters.com.au/quickkick/
"There has already been a large take up across the country, with more than 2,000 people signing up within days of QuickKick’s launch. Among them is a multiple Grand Slam tennis champion and a 73-year-old!.
Of the current registered participants, one third are from NSW or Queensland... (my emphases)".
(As c. 700 women, "within days of Quickkick's launch", joined from NSW & Qld., this is a very good result for non-heartland States, in such a short period.
Interestingly, in Sydney, WS & SS are the only clinics established- not NS, ES, North WS, & Inner WS, where GR AF is far stronger. Newcastle & Wollongong, where AF is only a niche sport, were also chosen).
AFL Masters launches program for women over 35 - AFL NSW / ACT
If you’re 35-year-old woman or older, who’s never played footy but always yearned for the opportunity, this could be your chance to get out on the park! AFL Masters has launched QuickKick, an entry level program held fortnightly in all…Read more ›
BringBackTorps
Club Legend
- Jan 5, 2017
- 2,963
- 1,827
- AFL Club
- GWS
1. This is an interesting quote from Dirty Bird, in the "Canberra" Thread (post#422, 30.4.22) from the Footy Industry forum.
Click in red above, for a map of all 17 clubs.
17 Junior clubs in Western Sydney
8 of which wern't there when I left Sydney 14 years ago.
And of the 9 that were, only 3 (Baulkham Hills (then known as the Falcons), Penrith (then known as the Rams) and Hawksebury) pre-dated 2000".
This above aflsj List of 17 WS jnr clubs does not include Pennant Hills JFC. (Pennant Hills is recognised by the NSW LGA as being part of "Greater Western Sydney").
Pennant Hills FC snrs is one of the biggest GR snr clubs of all time, anywhere in Australia, with 11 snr teams *
The above List does also not include these booming jnr Inner WS AF clubs- Western Suburbs JFC (based in Croydon!), Glebe FC, Concord FC, Canada Bay FC, Drummoyne FC, Leichardt FC, Newtown FC etc. (all playing in the Swans', not Giants', comp.!).
*2. Pennant Hills is 18 kms NW of Sydney; & in 2021, its estimated population was 8232.
"In recognition of its new $2.08m clubrooms, "Pennant Hills’ received the award for developing new community clubrooms for the use by Senior and Junior AFL Clubs, which included installing a commercial kitchen, meeting rooms, spectator viewing facilities and bar...The completed development allows around 250 people to gather in the clubrooms, with both indoor and outdoor viewing options of both home fields at two oval facility.
The new facility was necessary. In the past eight years, the senior club has grown from fielding three teams to 11 in 2022 (five men’s, four women’s, one U19s and one masters)".
aflnswact.com.au
www.phafl.com.au
There would be very few GR clubs, in history throughout all of Australia, that have 11 adult snr teams.
(North Shore FC, with 14 adult snr teams in 2022, probably has the all-time snrs. record.
In the VAFA, Old Boys' teams Xavier, St Kevins, De La Salle, & St Bernards -incl. the U19 & U23 comps.- probably have c. 9-10 snr teams each).
Few GR AF clubs would have an internal viewing area, of the oval, that can accomodate c. 250 people.
Pennant Hills FC usually serves c. 200 meals to its snr players after training every Thurs. night, usually rice or pasta dishes, & soup.
Throughout the history of GR AF clubs anywhere in Australia, AFAIK, no GR AF club has ever done this many meals 1 night pw, every week.
It is just as well they have a large commercial kitchen!
For Pennant Hills snr cub to grow from 3 snr teams in 2014, to 11 in 2022, is exceptional growth- & bodes well for GR AF in NW Sydney.
EDIT:
www.smh.com.au
"Western Sydney - AFL Sydney Juniors
Below is a list of clubs located in the Western Sydney region. To register with the club click ‘REGISTER NOW’ WOLLONDILLY REDBACKS REGISTER NOWClick in red above, for a map of all 17 clubs.
17 Junior clubs in Western Sydney
8 of which wern't there when I left Sydney 14 years ago.
And of the 9 that were, only 3 (Baulkham Hills (then known as the Falcons), Penrith (then known as the Rams) and Hawksebury) pre-dated 2000".
This above aflsj List of 17 WS jnr clubs does not include Pennant Hills JFC. (Pennant Hills is recognised by the NSW LGA as being part of "Greater Western Sydney").
Pennant Hills FC snrs is one of the biggest GR snr clubs of all time, anywhere in Australia, with 11 snr teams *
The above List does also not include these booming jnr Inner WS AF clubs- Western Suburbs JFC (based in Croydon!), Glebe FC, Concord FC, Canada Bay FC, Drummoyne FC, Leichardt FC, Newtown FC etc. (all playing in the Swans', not Giants', comp.!).
*2. Pennant Hills is 18 kms NW of Sydney; & in 2021, its estimated population was 8232.
"In recognition of its new $2.08m clubrooms, "Pennant Hills’ received the award for developing new community clubrooms for the use by Senior and Junior AFL Clubs, which included installing a commercial kitchen, meeting rooms, spectator viewing facilities and bar...The completed development allows around 250 people to gather in the clubrooms, with both indoor and outdoor viewing options of both home fields at two oval facility.
The new facility was necessary. In the past eight years, the senior club has grown from fielding three teams to 11 in 2022 (five men’s, four women’s, one U19s and one masters)".
Penno wins metro facilities prize - AFL NSW / ACT
The Pennant Hills Demons Football Club has won the Ken Gannon Award for NSW/ACT’s Metro Project of the Year. Members of Pennant Hills’ committee accepted the award from Federal Member for Berowra, Julian Leeser MP, at the club in May.…Read more ›
Pennant Hills Demons Sydney AFL Club - A family focused AFL club.
Looking for a Sydney AFL Club to join ? Pennant Hills Demons is one of Australia's largest local AFL Clubs with 7 Mens & 4 Womens AFL teams.
There would be very few GR clubs, in history throughout all of Australia, that have 11 adult snr teams.
(North Shore FC, with 14 adult snr teams in 2022, probably has the all-time snrs. record.
In the VAFA, Old Boys' teams Xavier, St Kevins, De La Salle, & St Bernards -incl. the U19 & U23 comps.- probably have c. 9-10 snr teams each).
Few GR AF clubs would have an internal viewing area, of the oval, that can accomodate c. 250 people.
Pennant Hills FC usually serves c. 200 meals to its snr players after training every Thurs. night, usually rice or pasta dishes, & soup.
Throughout the history of GR AF clubs anywhere in Australia, AFAIK, no GR AF club has ever done this many meals 1 night pw, every week.
It is just as well they have a large commercial kitchen!
For Pennant Hills snr cub to grow from 3 snr teams in 2014, to 11 in 2022, is exceptional growth- & bodes well for GR AF in NW Sydney.
EDIT:
The suburban Sydney club that became the AFL’s unlikeliest football factory
How can a team based in Sydney’s upper north shore be such a big producer of AFL talent? The answer lies deeper than just what’s in the water at Pennant Hills.
Last edited:
Dirty Bird
Pokémon Master
I played 2 years at Penno!1. This is an interesting quote from Dirty Bird, in the "Canberra" Thread (post#422, 30.4.22) from the Footy Industry forum.
"Western Sydney - AFL Sydney Juniors
Below is a list of clubs located in the Western Sydney region. To register with the club click ‘REGISTER NOW’ WOLLONDILLY REDBACKS REGISTER NOW Click here for a map
aflsj.com.au
17 Junior clubs in Western Sydney
8 of which wern't there when I left Sydney 14 years ago.
And of the 9 that were, only 3 (Baulkham Hills (then known as the Falcons), Penrith (then known as the Rams) and Hawksebury) pre-dated 2000".
This above aflsj List of WS clubs does not include the mighty Pennant Hills FC (Pennant Hills is recognised by the NSW LGA as being part of "Greater Western Sydney").
Pennant Hills snrs is one of the biggest GR snr clubs of all time, anywhere in Australia, with 11 snr teams *
The above List does also not include these booming jnr Inner WS AF clubs- Western Suburbs JFC (based in Croydon!), Glebe FC, Concord FC, Canada Bay FC, Drummoyne FC, Leichardt FC etc. (all playing in the Swans', not Giants', comp.!).
*2. Pennant Hills is 18 kms NW of Sydney; & in 2021, its estimated population was 8232.
"In recognition of its new $2.08m clubrooms, "Pennant Hills’ received the award for developing new community clubrooms for the use by Senior and Junior AFL Clubs, which included installing a commercial kitchen, meeting rooms, spectator viewing facilities and bar...The completed development allows around 250 people to gather in the clubrooms, with both indoor and outdoor viewing options of both home fields at two oval facility.
The new facility was necessary. In the past eight years, the senior club has grown from fielding three teams to 11 in 2022 (five men’s, four women’s, one U19s and one masters)".
Penno wins metro facilities prize - AFL NSW / ACT
The Pennant Hills Demons Football Club has won the Ken Gannon Award for NSW/ACT’s Metro Project of the Year. Members of Pennant Hills’ committee accepted the award from Federal Member for Berowra, Julian Leeser MP, at the club in May.…Read more ›
aflnswact.com.au
Pennant Hills Demons Sydney AFL Club - A family focused AFL club.
Looking for a Sydney AFL Club to join ? Pennant Hills Demons is one of Australia's largest local AFL Clubs with 7 Mens & 4 Womens AFL teams.
www.phafl.com.au
There would be very few GR clubs, in history throughout all of Australia, that have 11 adult snr teams.
(North Shore FC, with 14 adult snr teams in 2022, probably has the all-time snrs. record.
In the VAFA, Old Boys' teams Xavier, St Kevins, De La Salle, & St Bernards -incl. the U19 & U23 comps.- probably have c. 9-10 snr teams each).
Few GR AF clubs would have an internal viewing area, of the oval, that can accomodate c. 250 people.
Pennant Hills FC usually serves c. 200 meals to its snr players after training every Thurs. night, usually rice or pasta dishes, & soup.
Throughout the history of GR AF clubs anywhere in Australia, AFAIK, no GR AF club has ever done this many meals 1 night pw, every week.
It is just as well they have a large commercial kitchen!
For Pennant Hills snr cub to grow from 3 snr teams in 2014, to 11 in 2022, is exceptional growth- & bodes well for GR AF in NW Sydney.
EDIT:
The suburban Sydney club that became the AFL’s unlikeliest football factory
How can a team based in Sydney’s upper north shore be such a big producer of AFL talent? The answer lies deeper than just what’s in the water at Pennant Hills.
u16s in 2006 and in our 2nd u18s team (w/1 game in the 1st team) in 2007.
This might sound like a weird question. But which ground will the clubrooms be at?
We used to play at Ern Holmes Reserves (home of the junior club) however, last I checked they were playing at the ground of Westbrook's junior club.
And bloody hell, 11 teams. Was only 5 when I played for the senior club.
BringBackTorps
Club Legend
- Jan 5, 2017
- 2,963
- 1,827
- AFL Club
- GWS
1. C. White, Regional Manager of AFL NSW/ACT, said 27.4:-
. GR AF is having good growth in the Central West.
. many clubs in the Central West have asked if an AFL pre-season match could be played in the Central West, to promote GR AF & the AFL etc. They have strong opposition from the NRL, & much stronger GR RL & soccer etc.
White said the only realistic venue now would be Wade Park in Orange; George Park in Bathurst also a future possibility, but it would require further development (from 14 mins. - 16 mins. 50 secs.).
. from July 2022, a new U10 comp. will start in the Central West- these kids played Auskick from April, & will transition to U10's. Travel distances are an issue in an H & A comp. in the Central West.
It is expected that, in 2023, there will be a full H & A comp. season for these kids (from 20 mins. 15 secs.- 21 mins.15 secs.).
(Scroll to 27.4)
2. The "Battlers For Bush Footy" GR RL facebook site (main focus is promoting regional & rural NSW GR RL) on 23.4.22 said, re the nthn. NSW Casino RLFC First Grade men's side going into recess, there is an "AFL invasion".
"How many more [folding RL teams]....
Yet the town fields an AFL side...we need to stand strong in the face of the AFL invasion of NSW".
www.facebook.com
(Scroll to 23.4)
3.
Go to my post#91 above, then click on the red section "Penno Wins Metro Facilities prize" for the lengthy description of their magnificent new facilities (includes a 250-person indoor viewing area of the oval!).
Did you read, in the EDIT I added later in my post#91, the SMH article on Pennant Hills FC snrs.' huge growth, its great culture etc, that helped it form 11 snr teams?
In your experiences, when you lived there, did most people in the outer NW area consider themselves as part of the GWS area- or Upper North Shore wannabes?
. GR AF is having good growth in the Central West.
. many clubs in the Central West have asked if an AFL pre-season match could be played in the Central West, to promote GR AF & the AFL etc. They have strong opposition from the NRL, & much stronger GR RL & soccer etc.
White said the only realistic venue now would be Wade Park in Orange; George Park in Bathurst also a future possibility, but it would require further development (from 14 mins. - 16 mins. 50 secs.).
. from July 2022, a new U10 comp. will start in the Central West- these kids played Auskick from April, & will transition to U10's. Travel distances are an issue in an H & A comp. in the Central West.
It is expected that, in 2023, there will be a full H & A comp. season for these kids (from 20 mins. 15 secs.- 21 mins.15 secs.).
Podcast - AFL NSW / ACT
Our very own Simon Smyth and Ryan O’Keefe take to the airwaves to talk all things footy in NSW and the ACT. If you have a question or comment, please email playonpod@afl.com.au 8 June 2022: “The most physically demanding sport…Read more ›(Scroll to 27.4)
2. The "Battlers For Bush Footy" GR RL facebook site (main focus is promoting regional & rural NSW GR RL) on 23.4.22 said, re the nthn. NSW Casino RLFC First Grade men's side going into recess, there is an "AFL invasion".
"How many more [folding RL teams]....
Yet the town fields an AFL side...we need to stand strong in the face of the AFL invasion of NSW".
Battlers For Bush Footy
Battlers For Bush Footy. 794 likes · 305 talking about this. Love local footy? Battlers For Bush Footy is all about promoting the value and history of rugby league in local communities, showcasing...
(Scroll to 23.4)
3.
Pennant Hills FC snrs. now play also at Greenway Park, Cherrybrook- where the big, new facilities & clubrooms etc. are.
Go to my post#91 above, then click on the red section "Penno Wins Metro Facilities prize" for the lengthy description of their magnificent new facilities (includes a 250-person indoor viewing area of the oval!).
Did you read, in the EDIT I added later in my post#91, the SMH article on Pennant Hills FC snrs.' huge growth, its great culture etc, that helped it form 11 snr teams?
In your experiences, when you lived there, did most people in the outer NW area consider themselves as part of the GWS area- or Upper North Shore wannabes?
Last edited:
Dirty Bird
Pokémon Master
I just read it then.
Thought we'd won more than just the 5 premier division titles
I remember when our u16s team was trying to be recruited to join the senior team for 2007 they showed highlights of the 2006 premiership (won something stupid like 6.20 to 8.1 against our rivals East Coast (unbeaten until the gf)) and I remember just after moving to Adelaide, and watching 2008 grand final where we pulverised East Coast this time thanks to players like Scott Reed (went to collingwood the next year as nsw scholarship player) and Ranga Ediriwickrama (Geelong nsw scholarship player).
Back when I lived in Sydney, Sydney was it. So no real affiliation to GWS. But I guess a rough boundary was the Parramatta river. South = south of the river, North = north of the river (Though, upper north shore would then be east of the Lane Cove National Park) and West = west of where the river ended (about Parramatta)
When I first started playing, I played for the Penrith Rams in 1999. Entering 2000, the Emu Plains Lions, Blue Mountain (Glenbrook) Kangaroos and St Mary's Crows were all founded. But I stuck with Penrith (Who became the Swans in 2000 and since then, the Giants) due to friendships rather than going to any of those 3 clubs which were closer (Despite being called Penrith they were playing in Cranebrook) in 2001 I moved to West Ryde so joined the North Ryde Kangaroos (since then, Dockers). In 2005 my best mate (NSW State team) was being courted to join (Frenches) Forest Lions. We both went up and played with them for a year. That team blew up in 2006. Most of the state team (Inc. Fremantle, North Melbourne and Brisbane scholarship players) went to the North Shore bombers, my mate went to the Balmain Tigers (Which was where most of my North Ryde team mates went, but I didn't like many of them) so I joined a couple of school mates at the Pennant Hills Demons.
Was interesting that state side.
By u15s there had basically became 3 super teams.
Westbrook Bulldogs had a few including the Geelong scholarship player
Baulkham Hills (Maroon) Falcons had a few including the Hawthorn scholarship player
Forest Lions had a few including the Fremantle, North Melbourne and Brisbane (Well, he was the younger son of the coach playing up into our team) scholarship players
In u12s the 2 Northen junior leagues merged (North West and North Shore) I think Forest took out the u12s premiership, then Westbrook gained Ranga, and they took out the u13s and u14s premierships. (All 3 gfs Forest-Westbrook) then in u15s, injuries hit our Forest team pretty bad (FF and CHB (Fremantle SP) were playing the ef on 1 leg, and the Ruck (Collingwood SP) and Rover (North Melbourne SP) were in their first game back from injury) so we didn't even make the GF - Got knocked out by a Dane Rampe lead team. Westbrook took that premiership over Baulkham Hills. The following year once all the top end talent went to the senior clubs. Baulkham Hills finally won one (Once their Maroon and Gold sides merged)
The Westbrook players (+ Scott Reed who was a Newcastle product, who joined us at Forest in u15s) went to Pennant Hills
The Baulkham Hills players went to East Coast
And the Forest players went to North Shore until they went to Manly and built them up from the 2nd division up to the first. The teams core was my team-mates from that Forest team, but they gained a couple of players who were pretty good (Including one of the competitors from the Recruit)
BringBackTorps
Club Legend
- Jan 5, 2017
- 2,963
- 1,827
- AFL Club
- GWS
aflnsw/act.com
Two ovals will see improved lighting installed to allow for evening training and matches. The Camden Cats (Fairfax Reserve) received $330,000 and Inner West Magpies (Picken Oval) will benefit from $260,000. Picken Oval is a key AFL venue in Sydney as footy can be played there all year. The new lights will allow junior senior night football to be played at Picken, including the new Women’s Summer Series.
Additionally, the Greenway Park Sports Hub will receive $980,000 from the Greater Cities Sports Facilities Fund for new and upgraded changerooms and accessible facilities. The grant will help the Pennant Hills Demons complete their new clubhouse, with a fit out of a gymnasium planned for the near future.
Finally, Penrith City Council’s Gipps Street Recreation Precinct will receive $1 million from the Fund to build eight accessible change rooms. This is a win for footballers in the western suburbs, who will enjoy playing on this state of the art precinct (formerly a waste facility) when complete in late 2023".
New AF oval etc. to be constructed by Penrith Council, at Claremont Meadows, 45kms west of Sydney.
yoursaypenrith.com.au
"Four [WS] Footy Venues Benefit from NSW Government Grants
Two ovals will see improved lighting installed to allow for evening training and matches. The Camden Cats (Fairfax Reserve) received $330,000 and Inner West Magpies (Picken Oval) will benefit from $260,000. Picken Oval is a key AFL venue in Sydney as footy can be played there all year. The new lights will allow junior senior night football to be played at Picken, including the new Women’s Summer Series.
Additionally, the Greenway Park Sports Hub will receive $980,000 from the Greater Cities Sports Facilities Fund for new and upgraded changerooms and accessible facilities. The grant will help the Pennant Hills Demons complete their new clubhouse, with a fit out of a gymnasium planned for the near future.
Finally, Penrith City Council’s Gipps Street Recreation Precinct will receive $1 million from the Fund to build eight accessible change rooms. This is a win for footballers in the western suburbs, who will enjoy playing on this state of the art precinct (formerly a waste facility) when complete in late 2023".
New AF oval etc. to be constructed by Penrith Council, at Claremont Meadows, 45kms west of Sydney.
"Gipps Street Recreation Precinct
The delivery of the exciting Gipps Street Recreation Precinct is now one step closer with Council recently announcing the issue of a Request for Tender for construction of the project".
Gipps Street Recreation Precinct
When complete, Gipps Street Recreation Precinct will incorporate both active and passive sport and recreational space.
BringBackTorps
Club Legend
- Jan 5, 2017
- 2,963
- 1,827
- AFL Club
- GWS
The Australian 13.5.22 J. Halloran said
"The AFL NSW/ACT has secured seven new AFL facilities in western Sydney since 2019 and facilitated upgrades for 13 existing club homes in the past 10 years.
[G. McLachlan] 'The Giants have unquestionably been a success story for our game and in the broader Australian sporting landscape with three teams across men’s and women’s elite sport and while they have reached great heights on-field, they have also continued to expand their footprint at an extraordinary rate,' he said.
'Given the base the club has built in new territory in just 11 years, there is no doubt it is going to be a very powerful and large club attracting generations of fans for decades to come.'
[D. Matthews] 'By any metric, the Giants’ growth since entering the AFL just a decade ago has been remarkable,' he said. 'As an organisation with over 30,000 members and three elite teams under the Giants brand our footprint in NSW and the ACT is vast'.
Halloran said "The Giants [said]... the AFL figures truly show the growth of the game in western Sydney — with participation community football and Auskick doubling since 2012 in the area".
(In the Swans' Zone in Sydney since 2012, the GR jnr club comp. players nos. have increased c. 2.5 times, cf 2012 nos.
In the elite Sydney private schools, since 2013, male secondary school AF comp. teams have gone from c. 5 teams to 71 teams in 2022!
In the elite Sydney private schools, since 2019, female secondary school AF comp. teams have gone from nil teams to, staggeringly, 72 teams in 2022! My emphases, & words in brackets).
The AFL's M. Pegan, 15.7.21, re the WS area, said
"The talent pool is gradually growing, though, with the number of junior footballers in Western Sydney rising by 25 per cent between 2016 and 2019. NAB AFL Auskick registrations increased by 15 per cent between 2017 and 2019.
The exposure to football and options to play the game across Western Sydney are also expanding, with a football club now set up in every local government area and an AFL program offered in 60 per cent of schools in the region, according to AFL NSW/ACT".
'All 1200-plus players in the Academy are decked out in Giants gear, playing jumper, shorts, socks, hoodies, backpacks and they get their own footy,' Saddington said.
'So they have that real connection with the Giants and they look like mini-Giants. They stand out and more people are starting to recognise the brand and ask questions about the game.
'We're 10 years into the Academy program at the footy club, give us another 10 or 15 years and we'll see it has grown much, much more. Hopefully that's similar to what the Swans were able to do, but it still took them a good 20-odd years' (All emphases, mine) ".
The AFL, in 2012, said the true success of GWS should be judged only after at least 20 years from 2012.
It's great to see that Auskick, GR school & club (jnr & snr) comp. player nos. are all having major growth, all at record highs in NSW- they have been growing strongly in NSW since 2012, GWS's commencement.
Ditto ACT (inc. adjoining Queanbeyan/Goulburn areas) Auskick, & GR school & club (jnr & snr) comp. player nos. They are also now having major growth, & are at record highs (easily eclipsing, now, GR contact RL school & jnr & snr club comp. player nos., inc. Queanbeyan/Goulburn areas).
GR AF fell from the late 1980's, after the Canberra Raiders entered the NRL- but began rising again since 2012.
These are the currently 17 jnr clubs in WS, which play in the Giants comp. The AFL said that, prior to GWS creation, some of the 14 LGA's in the GWS metro area did not have even 1 GR AF club in their boundaries- now they all do.
BANKSTOWN BULLSHARKS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
BAULKHAM HILLS HAWKS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
BLACKTOWN CITY SUNS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
BLUE MOUNTAINS KANGAROOS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
CAMDEN CATS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
EMU PLAINS/GLENMORE PARK LIONS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
FAIRFIELD FALCONS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
GREYSTANES GOANNAS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
HAWKESBURY SAINTSCurrent News - Blacktown City Junior Australian Football Club - GameDay
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
INGLEBURN MAGPIES
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
KELLYVILLE ROUSE HILL MAGPIES
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
LIVERPOOL EAGLES
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
MACARTHUR BULLDOGS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
PARRAMATTA LIONS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
PENRITH GIANTSCurrent News - Blacktown City Junior Australian Football Club - GameDay
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
SOUTH WEST TIGERS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
WOLLONDILLY REDBACKS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map"
"The AFL NSW/ACT has secured seven new AFL facilities in western Sydney since 2019 and facilitated upgrades for 13 existing club homes in the past 10 years.
[G. McLachlan] 'The Giants have unquestionably been a success story for our game and in the broader Australian sporting landscape with three teams across men’s and women’s elite sport and while they have reached great heights on-field, they have also continued to expand their footprint at an extraordinary rate,' he said.
'Given the base the club has built in new territory in just 11 years, there is no doubt it is going to be a very powerful and large club attracting generations of fans for decades to come.'
[D. Matthews] 'By any metric, the Giants’ growth since entering the AFL just a decade ago has been remarkable,' he said. 'As an organisation with over 30,000 members and three elite teams under the Giants brand our footprint in NSW and the ACT is vast'.
Halloran said "The Giants [said]... the AFL figures truly show the growth of the game in western Sydney — with participation community football and Auskick doubling since 2012 in the area".
(In the Swans' Zone in Sydney since 2012, the GR jnr club comp. players nos. have increased c. 2.5 times, cf 2012 nos.
In the elite Sydney private schools, since 2013, male secondary school AF comp. teams have gone from c. 5 teams to 71 teams in 2022!
In the elite Sydney private schools, since 2019, female secondary school AF comp. teams have gone from nil teams to, staggeringly, 72 teams in 2022! My emphases, & words in brackets).
The AFL's M. Pegan, 15.7.21, re the WS area, said
"The talent pool is gradually growing, though, with the number of junior footballers in Western Sydney rising by 25 per cent between 2016 and 2019. NAB AFL Auskick registrations increased by 15 per cent between 2017 and 2019.
The exposure to football and options to play the game across Western Sydney are also expanding, with a football club now set up in every local government area and an AFL program offered in 60 per cent of schools in the region, according to AFL NSW/ACT".
'All 1200-plus players in the Academy are decked out in Giants gear, playing jumper, shorts, socks, hoodies, backpacks and they get their own footy,' Saddington said.
'So they have that real connection with the Giants and they look like mini-Giants. They stand out and more people are starting to recognise the brand and ask questions about the game.
'We're 10 years into the Academy program at the footy club, give us another 10 or 15 years and we'll see it has grown much, much more. Hopefully that's similar to what the Swans were able to do, but it still took them a good 20-odd years' (All emphases, mine) ".
Cold war brewing between Giants and Swans over local talent
The AFL, in 2012, said the true success of GWS should be judged only after at least 20 years from 2012.
It's great to see that Auskick, GR school & club (jnr & snr) comp. player nos. are all having major growth, all at record highs in NSW- they have been growing strongly in NSW since 2012, GWS's commencement.
Ditto ACT (inc. adjoining Queanbeyan/Goulburn areas) Auskick, & GR school & club (jnr & snr) comp. player nos. They are also now having major growth, & are at record highs (easily eclipsing, now, GR contact RL school & jnr & snr club comp. player nos., inc. Queanbeyan/Goulburn areas).
GR AF fell from the late 1980's, after the Canberra Raiders entered the NRL- but began rising again since 2012.
These are the currently 17 jnr clubs in WS, which play in the Giants comp. The AFL said that, prior to GWS creation, some of the 14 LGA's in the GWS metro area did not have even 1 GR AF club in their boundaries- now they all do.
"Western Sydney
Below is a list of clubs located in the Western Sydney region. To register with the club click ‘REGISTER NOW’BANKSTOWN BULLSHARKS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
BAULKHAM HILLS HAWKS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
BLACKTOWN CITY SUNS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
BLUE MOUNTAINS KANGAROOS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
CAMDEN CATS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
EMU PLAINS/GLENMORE PARK LIONS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
FAIRFIELD FALCONS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
GREYSTANES GOANNAS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
HAWKESBURY SAINTSCurrent News - Blacktown City Junior Australian Football Club - GameDay
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
INGLEBURN MAGPIES
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
KELLYVILLE ROUSE HILL MAGPIES
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
LIVERPOOL EAGLES
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
MACARTHUR BULLDOGS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
PARRAMATTA LIONS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
PENRITH GIANTSCurrent News - Blacktown City Junior Australian Football Club - GameDay
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
SOUTH WEST TIGERS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map
WOLLONDILLY REDBACKS
REGISTER NOW
Click here for a map"
- Apr 12, 2012
- 46,167
- 41,966
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Thread starter
- #97
GWS Auskick going on around Mudgee schools.
Surprised.
Daughter coming home and saying she has joined up for 4 weeks.
Bigger surprise. Never liked footy, makes fun of me for liking it lol.
Surprised.
Daughter coming home and saying she has joined up for 4 weeks.
Bigger surprise. Never liked footy, makes fun of me for liking it lol.
Last edited:
- Nov 23, 2015
- 11,797
- 17,436
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Moderator
- #98
- Apr 12, 2012
- 46,167
- 41,966
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Thread starter
- #99
- Nov 23, 2015
- 11,797
- 17,436
- AFL Club
- GWS
- Moderator
- #100
Marked on the calendar!
2033
