2024 Primary School Australian Football 9v9 Gala Days

School Sport Victoria (SSV) and AFL Victoria are excited to launch an expanded Australian Football Primary 9v9 Gala Days program in 2024, ahead of the SSV rollout of the competition format next year.

The 2024 program will see 33 Gala Days scheduled across the state in Term 3, building on the pilots delivered across the eight SSV regions last year. Registration for the Gala Days is free for SSV Victorian primary school members with a girls' competition and a boys/mixed competition with schools able to enter multiple teams.

First and second place from each event will progress to the region level ahead of the State Championships being held Wednesday, 27 November 2024 at La Trobe University in Bundoora.

The increased number of Gala Days in 2024 is vitally important as the 9v9 format will be the School Sport Victoria Australian Football Primary competition format in 2025.  

The format change is designed to provide greater participation opportunities for more students and schools, whilst enabling players of all skill levels to be more involved in the game. Games are played on a smaller field size with nine players a side on the field at the one time, allowing for multiple games to take place on the one full size oval concurrently.

The format also aims to:

• Make it easier for schools of all sizes to participate.
• Enhances participation opportunities for boys and girls by delivering games with age-appropriate rules and modifications.
• Supports inclusion and participation by making it easier for players to be more involved in the play and to get more touches.

This new format closely aligns with the AFL's 'Play Your Way – Junior Football Rules', introduced in March this year with additional modifications to suit the SSV primary competition.

To support schools to take part, AFL Victoria will provide 8 equipment kits to each SSV Region Coordinator and 4 equipment kits to each SSV Division Coordinator with the kits consisting of balls, goals, playing bibs to SSV Coordinators. Additionally, there will be a focus on educating students, schools, teachers', and SSV Coordinators in terms of the new format, rules and umpiring, and the ground set up at the Gala Days and ahead of 2025.

Jamie Parsons, School Sport Victoria CEO, is incredibly excited about the expansion of the 9v9 format in 2024 building on the success of the pilots in 2023.

"The evidence is clear; the format will provide a better student experience with more students constantly involved in the play with the modified rules," he said.

"We look forward to working with AFL Victoria to educate and support School Sport Victoria coordinators and Victorian schools through 2024 ahead of the full implementation of the 9v9 format as the School Sport Victoria Australian Football Primary competition in 2025."

Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, said AFL Victoria is committed to enhancing the student experience and having more students and children playing and enjoying Australian Football.

"We're delighted with the expansion of the SSV 9v9 Australian Football program in 2024 and, equally, excited about the full implementation across the SSV program in 2025," he said.

We think there's improved delivery efficiency, the opportunity for more schools to be able to participate in the SSV competition, including multiple teams from the one school. Equally important this year is the education focus which we're committed to so that SSV Coordinators, teachers, and schools are fully equipped for 2025."

Registrations have now closed

2024 GALA DAYS INFORMATION:

• There is no registration fee for School Victoria member schools to participate in the 2024 Gala Days.
• The Gala Days are for students from Year 4 to 6.
• The Gala Days events have been developed in line with School Sport Victoria's Divisions and in instances includes combined Divisions.
• Generally, there will be a maximum of 8 Girls and 8 Boys / Mixed teams in their respective competitions per Gala Day. However, where divisions are combined, maximum entries will be determined by AFL Victoria.
• The Gala Days are being coordinated and delivered by AFL Victoria with the match equipment on the day being provided by AFL Victoria.
• Communication regarding your school's Gala Day will be organised by AFL Victoria.
• Please see the 2024 Australia Football 9v9 Rules.
• If you have any questions, please contact the AFL Vic Participation Coordinator for your school's Division.

The full list of 2024 Australian Football 9 v 9 Primary Gala Days