Gather Round kicking goals for SA schools with new goal post program

The SANFL, AFL and State Government are thrilled to launch a new program to install goal posts on South Australian school grounds, aimed at boosting participation in footy and getting more young people active.

The SANFL School Goal Post Program aims to provide new junior-sized goal posts in schools across the State which either have never had AFL goal posts on their grounds or have goal posts which are no longer fit for purpose.

Seaton Park Primary School is the first school to benefit from the program, with goal posts just installed on its oval, while at least a further 10 schools in metro and regional areas are set to have posts installed this footy season.

“For the 150 students at Seaton Park Primary School the gift of these goal posts to our school by the SANFL, AFL and State Government is very exciting and greatly appreciated,” Seaton Park Primary School Principal Amy Johnston said.

“We have a wonderful large oval, but until now we have only had soccer goals, so these goal posts give our students – both girls and boys – greater exposure to sporting opportunities.

“Our students, their families, and our staff are very excited by this and we all look forward to developing the next footy stars of the future.”

Initially delivering goal posts to the value of $50,000, the pilot program is part of the $8 million SA Football Facilities Fund, a collaboration between the State Government, the AFL and SANFL to support the continued growth of footy in SA through infrastructure investment as part of the legacy of AFL Gather Round.

The new program forms part of SANFL’s key strategic goal to see football played in every school in South Australia.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said this program supported SANFL’s ambitious vision to grow total participation in our game beyond 73,000 males and females by 2026.

“Not only will this program enable more boys and girls to simply enjoy having a kick for goal on the school oval but also support our key strategic pillar to make football accessible in every school,” Mr Chandler said.

“Furthermore, unlocking access to suitable green space with quality facilities within schools for local community club training purposes is critical to accommodating the ongoing growth of our game.”

South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas said we want young girls and boys off screens and participating in healthy active recreation.

“To do that we need to invest in facilities, and that’s exactly what the Football Facilities Fund is delivering in our community clubs, and our schools,” Mr Malinauskas said. 

“For the first time, a host of schools across the state will have footy goalposts on their ovals.

“This is a prudent investment in our children’s future.”

The following schools confirmed to receive goal posts in 2025 include:

• Aldgate Primary School
• Amata Anangu School (APY Lands)
• Forbes Primary School
• Ingle Farm East Primary School
• Le Fevre Peninsula Primary School
• Melalecua Park Primary School
• Nurioopta Primary School
• Riverton Primary School
• Salisbury Primary School
• Seaton Park Primary School
• Seaview Downs Primary School
• Sunrise Christian School (Naracoorte)

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the SANFL School Goal Post Program through the SA Football Facility Fund was an important part of growing footy in South Australia beyond Gather Round.

“Hearing children recite their break time stories of having a kick of the footy with friends and taking shots at goal is what it’s all about when you’re at school, and I’m delighted more girls and boys will have access to play footy and connect with the game,” Mr Dillon said.

“We are really proud to support the program, and I’d like to thank Premier Malinauskas and SANFL CEO Darren Chandler for their ongoing commitment to grow Australian football across the state and look forward to seeing the schools receive their goal posts.”