QLD to host U16 and U18 National Championship Games

The AFL has released the fixture dates and locations for the 2023 AFL National Championships (U18) and 2023 AFL National Development Championships (U16), with the Sunshine state hosting 19 out of the 43 games.

The competitions will run from April to August and will feature the most talented under 18 and under 16 footballers from across Australia, some of whom may become the next generation of stars in the men’s and women’s game.

AFL Head of Talent Pathways, Grant Williams, said: “These Championships are the highest standard of representative state and territory football for aspiring talented players across Australia.

“The Championships provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best young talent in our game and we look forward to seeing the best footballers compete against each other in matches played across the country.

“It was a great outcome to have the Championships return in 2022 after two Covid-interrupted years and we are extremely excited to have the boys and girls’ competitions run in conjunction in 2023.”

Squads and broadcast details will be confirmed closer to each of the Championships.

2023 AFL NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS – U16 GIRLS

It all kicks off with the U16 girls which will be played from Tuesday, April 11 through to Sunday, April 30 with three games at Bond University and two at the newly named Heritage Bank Stadium.

For the first time, U16 Girls will be played as an interstate carnival, with matches scheduled across four states.

The competition will feature 10 teams, who will each play two matches. All games will be played across a three-week period, which will include a triple-header in Queensland, as well as several double-headers.

Teams: Brisbane Lions Academy, Gold Coast SUNS Academy, GWS GIANTS Academy, Northern Territory, South Australia, Sydney Swans Academy, Tasmania, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia

2023 AFL NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS – U16 BOYS

The Queensland U16s boys teams begin their campaign at Brighton Homes Arena with the Brisbane Lions hosting the Gold Coast SUNS, followed by two games at Heritage Bank Stadium.  

All ten teams converge on the Gold Coast for the final two rounds from July 3 to July 7.

Teams: Brisbane Lions Academy, Gold Coast SUNS Academy, GWS GIANTS Academy, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro, Sydney Swans Academy, Tasmania and Western Australia
 

2023 AFL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – U18 GIRLS

The U18 Girls will feature six teams and be played between April and August, with two games at Brighton Homes Arena and one game at Heritage Bank Stadium.

The opening match will be played between Western Australia and South Australia on Sunday, April 30 and all remaining games will be played throughout July and August, culminating with a game between Western Australia and Victoria Country on Saturday, August 19.

Teams: Allies (comprising ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Tasmania), Queensland, South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia
 

2023 AFL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – U18 BOYS

The U18 Boys will be played in June and July, with all five teams to each play four matches with the Allies and Victoria Metro clash at Brighton Homes Arena in July.

The Championships commence with a game between South Australia and the Allies on Sunday, June 4 and conclude with Victoria Country and Victoria Metro clashing on Saturday, July 15.

The two Victorian sides also met in the final game of last year’s Championships, with Metro prevailing to take out the title for the first time since 2017.

Teams: Allies (comprising ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania), South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia