Mackay will be the home of major AFL championship for the next two years, bringing the best footballers from Rockhampton to Cairnsto the sugar city.
Behind the scenes with Tayla Harris on her cover shoot for Body+Soul.
The best Aussie rules footballers from Rockhampton to Cairns will converge on the sugar city in August for the NQ championships, with the finalist from each region playing off to qualify for the state final.
Head of AFL Queensland Trisha Squires said 650 teams had already nominated for the state competition.
“We are enormously proud of the StreetSmarts AFL Queensland Schools Cup,” Squires said.
“The competition has seen significant growth over the past two years and more than 650 teams from Cape York to the Gold Coast are already nominated to compete in 2023.
“AFL Queensland is thrilled to partner with the Mackay Regional Council to bring the North Queensland Championships to the Great Barrier Reef Arena in 2023 and 2024.
“It is an incredible facility which plays host to our AFLW teams and will provide an elite experience for the teams from our North Queensland regions as they play for a spot in the State Finals in October.”
Mackay AFL juniors celebrate the city landing hosting rights for the AFLQ Schools Cup NQ Championships. Picture: Supplied
Mackay mayor Greg Williamson said hosting the event would add to the city’s proud record of helping to develop some of the country’s greatest sporting stars.
“Mackay, we kick way above our weight in lots of sports and this is another fantastically growing sport in our region,” Cr Williamson said.
“We’ve produced many sporting stars across many genres and we’re looking forward to hosting this in Mackay as a pathway for our young people.
“This is just an example of what the community working together in sports can actually deliver.
NQ AFL Championships at Murray. Junior Female Grand Final. Mercy College v Kirwan (red/black)
“We’re really proud that AFLQ has chosen Mackay as the venue for this particular tournament and were really proud as a council to be able to play a role in making another pathway for young people here in our community.
“It’s going to be an absolutely outstanding event.”
AFL Participation and Programs Manager – Schools and Diversity Damien Mitchelmore said it would give north Queensland’s up-and-coming Aussie rules talent the chance to shine on the regional stage.
Mackay AFL juniors celebrate the city landing hosting rights for the AFLQ Schools Cup NQ Championships. Picture: Supplied
“It gives them the opportunity to play footy first and foremost,” Mitchelmore said.
“Any opportunity to be fit and active at school is a great thing and to be part of a competition that allows them to be part of a genuine statewide competition with approximately 14,000 other kids is just a wonderful opportunity.
“AFL continues to grow, we’re very happy with the work that our development team have put in across the northern regions and we see positive growth across the state, and we’re excited for that opportunity,” he said.
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