SCHEDULE RELEASED FOR 2023 U18 AND U16 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPSThursday, March 2, 2023 - 9:00 AM

The AFL has released the fixture dates and locations for the 2023 AFL National Championships (U18) and 2023 AFL National Development Championships (U16).

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.”

West Australian Football Commission State Talent Manager Adam Jones has forecast an exciting year for the local pathway program.

“Everyone at the WAFC is looking forward to the upcoming National Championships for the boys and the girls.

We can’t wait to showcase the emerging talent in WA and we have high hopes the respective teams can produce outstanding results,” Jones said.

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

Please continue below to see the schedules for the 2023 AFL National Championships (U18) and 2023 AFL National Development Championships (U16).

2023 AFL NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS – U16 GIRLS

The 2023 AFL National Development Championships – U16 Girls will be played from Tuesday, April 11 through to Sunday, April 30.

For the first time, the AFL National Development Championships – 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 2023 AFL National Development Championships – U16 Boys will begin with a clash between Victoria Country and Victoria Metro on Saturday, June 10 during the King’s Birthday weekend in Victoria.

The first round of fixtures will be played across four states, before all ten teams converge on the Gold Coast where the final two rounds will be played 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 2023 AFL National Championships – U18 Girls will feature six teams and be played between April and August.

The opening match of the 2023 AFL National Championships – U18 Girls will be played between Western Australia and South Australia on Sunday, April 30.

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 2023 AFL National Championships – U18 Boys will be played in June and July, with all five teams to each play four matches.

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
 

ENDS:

Mark Readings