Aspley Hornets Football Club has advised the AFL and AFL Queensland of its intention to join the QAFL in 2022 and withdraw its license from the VFL competition.
Aspley advised of its renewed focus on the role the club plays in the AFL Queensland community football landscape.
The decision will see the Hornets field a senior, reserves and colts team in the QAFL, alongside their Bond University QAFLW teams.
Aspley will now provide a clear participation pathway for their aspiring talent and strong junior base which starts from NAB AFL Auskick and from 2022 will go all the way through to the Queensland state league competitions.
Aspley Hornets President, Keith Hill said:
“Playing in the VFL this season has been hugely challenging due to a number of issues, including the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. This has given rise for the board to review what’s in the best interests of the club going forward.
“For us to maintain a pathway for our juniors, we have realigned our focus to play the highest level of community football in Queensland.
“As disappointing as it is to withdraw from the VFL competition after only one year, we are now excited to be participating in the highest standard of community football in Queensland.
“As a club we look forward to playing our role in both the QAFL and QAFLW competitions, both of which are in great shape.
“The standard and profile of the QAFL continues to rise year on year and we are really excited to be part of it.
“It’s fantastic to have these competitions for our junior, youth and senior players to aspire too.”
Head of AFL Queensland, Trisha Squires said:
“Our QAFL competition continues to go from strength to strength and it’s standing as a genuine state league is building.
“The inclusion of Aspley will see the competition expand to 12 teams in season 2022, and only further strengthens the QAFL competition.
“When a footballer starts at Aspley with NAB AFL Auskick, they can now aspire to playing with the Hornets in the QAFL or QAFLW, demonstrating Aspley’s commitment to providing participation pathways from juniors through to seniors.”
Aspley joined the VFL this season when it was revamped to feature 22 clubs from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Queensland will continue to be represented in the VFL with the Southport Sharks, Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS.
AFL Queensland gave Aspley confirmation in October 2020 that if they decided not to continue in the VFL beyond the 2021 season that an opportunity would be facilitated for the club to participate in the QAFL competition from 2022.
As a result of entering the QAFL, Aspley will no longer be a participant in the Division 1 Hart Sport Cup.
