Welcome to Junior Footy

We are part of a local community sports club which offers both boys and girls end to end pathways from U8 - U18 years of age opportunities to develop and participate in Australian Rules Football competition and skills programs in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

We have a proud history and tradition, with the Bloods dating back to 1912. The club has close links with the Sydney Swans AFL and AFLW teams, through its historical connection to South Melbourne.

We fielded 8 girls teams in 2023 in every age level - Play like a girl, you bet we do!

We operate from clubrooms at the Clarke Shields Pavilion and use oval 11 and 12 in Albert Park to run our training and game day programs.

We live by our mantra - Be Active, Develop Skills, Make Friends, Have Fun!

Paul Johnston
Junior Footy Co-President jnrfootypresident.paul@smdsc.com.au

Mike Gillard
Junior Footy Co-President jnrfootypresident.mike@smdsc.com.au

Participation

We’ve been involved with junior footy since at least 1973.

As part of the South Metro Junior Football League, we target to field teams in each category (mixed, girls and boys) and each age group (U8 - U17.5 years old).

In season 2024, we hope to field over 550 players and 25 teams, including 8 girls teams in the league competition, comprised of:

• 8 junior teams (U8, U9, U10 and U11 mixed)

• 8 youth teams ( U12, U13, U14 & U15)

• 2 youth senior teams (U16 & U18)

• 8 girls teams (U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15 U16 and U18 girls)

• 4 alliance teams (with Port Melbourne Colts - U16 and U18 plus on a needs by needs basis depending on numbers)

For more info player registrations click here.

We are thankful to all our volunteers, including our dedicated team managers and coaches, who give their time and effort in supporting our players in their footy development.

If you’re interested in coaching or volunteering in any other capacity, and are not sure where to start, please click here or e-mail me.  We’re always on the lookout to fill committee, official and match day roles.

In season 2024, we’re running the following footy programs:

• Junior Footy Program - mixed teams U8, U9, U10, U11 & U12

• Youth Footy Program - mixed teams U13 - U15

• Senior Footy Program - boys teams U16 & U18

• Girls Footy Program - girls teams U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16 and U18

• Alliance Footy Program (where we align our teams with players from Port Melbourne Colts) - boys teams U16 and U17

Our club also provides clear pathways into junior footy with our Auskick program (5 – 12 years old) and out of junior footy with seniors running an U19, senior mens and senior womens competition.

Community

Throughout the season, we run an extensive off-field program of social activities and events, such as Season Launch in February, Ladies Lunch in May and Blokes Lunch in August, all of which aim to foster friendships and goodwill within the community.  For more info on our events and activities, click here.

We’re grateful to our community sponsors who provide funds or in-kind goods and services which enable us to raise funds and invest back into grassroots junior footy, equipment, players and infrastructure. If you’re interested in sponsoring or donating goods or services, please e-mail me.

Governance

As part of fostering a safe, supportive and inclusive environment, we’re committed to developing and maintaining the highest standards of accreditation, acceptable behaviour and child safety both on and off the field.

All our footy teams are allocated at least one AFL accredited coach and all our volunteers, including coaches, are required to have a WWCC.

We require all our participants and volunteers to understand and abide by our codes of conduct relating to acceptable behaviour and child safety, and actively assist our community in understanding their obligations under these codes.