The AFL and 13CABS are pleased to announce that this year’s traditional AFL Grand Final Sprint will include the fastest state league and community footballer for the first time.
The sprint event is raced over 100 metres, with each AFL club nominating one representative from their playing list to compete.
In addition to the fastest state league and community footballer joining the field, the event will again see 13CABS’ #FastestCabbie race against AFL players.
The fastest footballer and 13CABS’ #FastestCabbie will be determined through a series of heats and a semi-final in the lead up to the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final Day.
AFL General Manager of Commercial Operations Darren Birch said the AFL was excited that the 13CABS AFL Grand Final Sprint had extended into community football.
“Last year we saw 13CABS’ fastest cab driver added to the field on Grand Final Day, and this year it’s fantastic that we’ll see the fastest player from state league and community level football added to the race,” Mr Birch said.
13CABS Chief Operating Officer Stuart Overell said the added element to the event allowed for even more fans to show their support.
“There aren’t many events bigger than the AFL Grand Final, so 13CABS is proud to be part of such a colossal occasion,” Mr Overell said.
“Two 13CABS drivers qualified for the Grand Final Sprint against the AFL’s fastest players last year and were only narrowly pipped at the mark, so they’re in training already to win it this time.
“We’re particularly pleased to extend this once in a lifetime opportunity to community AFL players this year as well,” he said.
13CABS drivers, state league and community footballers are invited to register their interest in participating in heats next month via AFL.com.au/grandfinalsprint
The six fastest runners out of the three heats, will move on to compete in a semi-final to be held during half-time of the Tradingpost.com EJ Whitten Legends Game on Friday September 2 at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.
The format of the 13CABS AFL Grand Final Sprint on Toyota AFL Grand Final Day will remain the same as previous years with players and the #FastestCabbie split into two groups for qualifying finals to be held prior to the main match.
The top four from each qualifying final will then advance to the 13CABS AFL Grand Final Sprint, to be held during half-time of the 2016 Toyota AFL Grand Final.
The race is open to Australian residents who, are aged 18 years or over, are a currently registered playing member of an approved local AFL club and league OR a current driver of a taxi cab (holding a valid license) in the 13CABS network, and are not a member of a professional foot running association.
The schedule of 13CABS AFL Grand Final Sprint heat races are as follows:
Victorian Heat
Wednesday August 17 – 6pm start
Punt Road Oval, Richmond
New South Wales Heat
Friday August 19 – 6pm start
Tramways Oval, Moore Park
South Australian Heat
Friday August 26 – 6pm start
AAMI Stadium
QUEENSLAND PLAYERS CAN REGISTER FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE HEATS
The 13CABS AFL Grand Final Sprint registration form along with the terms and conditions is accessible via AFL.com.au/grandfinalsprint. Registrations close at 11.59pm AEST on Monday August 15, 2016.
