Coorparoo Football Club is set to make a triumphant return to the QAFL competition in 2025, after a 30-year absence.
AFL Queensland informed Coorparoo on Tuesday that they would receive a provisional licence to enter Queensland’s premier men’s competition in 2025, elevated from the QFA Division 1 HART Sport Cup competition.
Coorparoo has a long and illustrious history in the QAFL, having previously played at the top Queensland level from 1941 to 1993. During this time, they won six QAFL premierships and launched the career of Jason Dunstall, one of the greatest players the nation has ever seen. He won the Ray Hughson Medal, as the QAFL leading goal kicker, in 1984.
In more recent times, the club has enjoyed success in QFA Division 1, with both their seniors and reserves teams Premiers in 2022 and Grand Finalists in 2023. Now, both men’s teams are set to have the opportunity to test themselves at the next level.
Coorparoo is one of the biggest community clubs in the country, with more than 900 participants. The elevation to the QAFL in 2025 demonstrates a clear pathway for their players, from NAB AFL Auskick through to the highest playing level in Queensland.
Off the field, the club has invested in improving their facilities through their connections with local government.
Queensland Competitions Manager Mitchell Simpson informed the club earlier this week that their pitch to enter the QAFL had been successful.
“Coorparoo has positioned itself well to be elevated to the QAFL for the 2025 season,” he said.
“They have strong numbers coming through their junior pathway, all the way through to the senior level and they have also continued to develop their facilities.
“We look forward to working with them closely in 2024 to meet the remaining requirements, as we aim to formalise their entrance into the QAFL in 2025.”
Coorparoo President Sam Haddad said this was an important milestone in Coorparoo’s history.
“It has been a massive journey for the club to get to this position today,” he said.
“We have climbed all the way from Division 5 through to the QAFL over 30 years of persistence.
“We feel we are not only ready to take on this challenge but deserve to be there with the amount of Coorparoo juniors coming through.
“We want to give them the opportunity to play with one club through to the highest level, I think that is important to demonstrate this for our boys and girls.”
Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires said, “Congratulations to Coorparoo on putting themselves in a position to return to the QAFL competition, which they contributed significantly to for more than 50 years.”
“I’m pleased to see our premier QAFL competition continue to grow and develop the top Queensland talent and I look forward to seeing what’s in store in the coming seasons.”
The next QAFL season starts in April 2024, with Coorparoo set to enter in the 2025 competition.
