THIS IS OUR GAME
AFL Gippsland is the governing body for Australian Football in the Gippsland Region of Victoria and, as the “keeper of the code”, it is our responsibility to establish a framework that ensures the best possible journey for young players to progress their learning and development towards the adult version of the game.
There are over 150 junior leagues across Australia that provide opportunities for children and their families to participate every year.
We recognise it is largely an army of volunteers who run these leagues for the love of the game and the enjoyment it provides their kids.
It is vital that providers of junior football are familiar with and adopt most up to date philosophies and rules to ensure participating boys and girls have a fun, safe and positive football experience that is suitable to their needs.
We do not want to put kids in adult environments too early and that includes large grounds, congested play, unnecessary physicality and an over-emphasis on winning when skill development is more important.
Therefore the Football Development Managers role is to promote measures that will maximise the enjoyment and development of young players.
U8-U12 junior football is designed to introduce our great game and retain the next generation of young players and their families.
The overriding objective of the Junior Football - This Is Our Game philosophy.
“TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOUNG PLAYERS CAN PLAY THE GAME AND SEQUENTIALLY DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS THROUGH ACTIVITIES, GAMES, MATCH RULES AND CONDITIONS COMMENSURATE WITH THEIR STAGE OF LEARNING AND LEVEL OF ABILITY.”
THE PARTICIPATION PATHWAY
The AFL player pathway has been developed to ensure it follows these principles:
»» Developmental – meets the needs of children.
»» Informed – by research, practice and stakeholder engagement
»» Sequential – progressions that link.
»» Inclusive – accommodates all people in an equitable manner.
This player pathway provides a quality environment where young players can sequentially develop their skills through activities, games, match rules and conditions fitting their stage of learning and ability.
For the purpose of this document, the Junior Football Match Guide refers to the philosophy, guidelines and requirements of conducting football for children aged 5-12 years with the aim of recruiting parents and children to
Australian Football through the delivery of AFL Auskick and a junior football match program.
