Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow kicks off

March 19, 2023

The AFL and SANFL are pleased to launch the first Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow that will commence today, Sunday March 19.

The inaugural Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow will travel to more than 20 major towns across regional South Australia to connect with locals and create excitement for the upcoming AFL Gather Round…A Festival of Footy that will be held in the state next month.

The 24-day Roadshow will visit a number of schools, community football clubs and towns impacted by recent flooding, including Murray Bridge, Barmera and Waikerie.

Each stop will feature a host of family-friendly activities for locals to enjoy, including sausage sizzles and Kick and Catch clinics, plus footy fans can get up close and personal with the perpetual SANFL Thomas Seymour Hill Trophy and SANFLW premiership cups, as well as the 2023 AFL and AFLW premiership cups ahead of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Cup Tour and 2023 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Tour later this year.

In addition, the Roadshow will support a new state-wide initiative that will see 20 brand-new footballs donated to every regional junior football club across South Australia as part of the on-going Gather Round celebrations.

AFL Executive General Manager Game Development Rob Auld said the Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow is a great initiative for fans to engage with the game.

“The AFL is delighted to work with the SANFL to launch the first Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow that will bring some footy fever to all corners of the state,” Mr Auld said.

“Community football clubs are the heartbeat of our great game, so we’re thrilled to connect with local communities and provide fans with an opportunity to get up close and personal with this year’s AFL and AFLW premiership cups.

“The Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow is just one way we’re looking to engage with community football clubs as part of our Gather Round celebrations as we gear up for what is sure to be one of the most exciting weekends in football.”

SANFL Executive General Manager Football Matt Duldig said the Roadshow was a fantastic opportunity to help inspire young players and help grow the game in regional communities, especially in areas which have been doing it tough the past few years.

“Of the 53,000-plus players in SA, over half are in regional communities – the Gather Round Community Footy Roadshow is therefore a great way to allow these players, as well as the hundreds of coaches, umpires and volunteers, to embrace this historic event in their hometowns,” Mr Duldig said.

See below for a list of key dates and locations:

• March 19 – Murray Bridge
• March 20 – Robe, Millicent
• March 21 – Mt Gambier
• March 22 – Naracoorte
• March 23 – Barmera, Waikerie
• March 24 – Greenock, Sandy Creek
• March 26- Hamley Bridge
• March 27 – Balaklava, Mallala
• March 29 – Kadina
• March 30 – Minlaton, Yorketown, Ardrossan
• March 31 – Port Broughton, Melrose & Crystal Brook Female Grand Final
• April 1 – Port Lincoln
• April 4 – Ceduna
• April 11 – Bordertown

For a full list of Roadshow tour locations, dates and times, click on the link below or go to sanfl.com.au/gather-round/

For more information and ticketing on AFL Gather Round head to afl.com.au/gather-round