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Country Football Championships

CANBERRA will, for the first time, host the 11th Australian Country Football Championships, starting in July.

The ACT currently holds the ACF Championship title, after defeating Victoria Country in the 2008 final.

A total of seven state teams will compete in the carnival, including the ACT, Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria Country (major leagues) and Victoria Country (district leagues) plus the Aboriginal All Stars.

ACF Council President Mr Glenn Scott said the Championships would be “career highlights for many players” particularly for those who never got the opportunity to play at elite level.

“We can’t wait to get this Carnival up and running in Canberra”, he said.

“Almost 50 per cent of all players on AFL lists originate from regional and rural Australia.”

Mr Scott said the significant financial support from the AFL, combined with a naming right sponsor (Landmark) has ensured the ACF can continue to stage this carnival and showcase the best country AFL players in Australia.

However, AFL Canberra General Manager Rowan Johnstone said that the organising committee is looking for volunteers to assist on match days and with the carnival functions.

“Our AFL Canberra clubs are hosting the visiting state teams however we need 25 volunteers to help us make this a great footy event in the nation’s capital”, Mr Johnstone said.

The Australian Country Football Championships run over three days from July 22-25.

Matches will be played at Manuka Oval, Ainslie Oval and the redeveloped Phillip Oval, which will be officially opened on the day one of the championships.