The Far North Coast Junior AFL League was formed in the year 2000. Discussions took place in November 1999 with Mike Kenny from AFL (NSW/ACT) and a group of dedicated parents wanting their children to participate in AFL Games in the region. An AFL Development Officer was appointed with the first season commencing in 2000. Three teams, Ballina Bulldogs (changing their name to Ballina Bombers in 2001), Byron Bay Magpies and Lismore Swans commenced playing local football with each team fielding age groups of U/9, U/11 and U/13. The average number of players in each age group were 12 players per team.
Season 2001 introduced Brunswick Heads Bulldogs to the competition. Due to the registration of several players over the age of 14, the U/15 age group was included to enable us to cater for boys and girls from 5 - 15 years of age.
The AFL were promoting and developing the sport in the primary schools with the Paul Kelly Cup . This is a Years 5 & 6 -12-a-side competition for all local schools. After regional success, interest of AFL within the schools gained momentum with players and parents wanting games of AFL played in their own town on weekends. 2006 saw the formation of Alstonville/Wollongbar Junior AFL Club (Plateau Power) joining the competition. The AFL also organises school Auskick Carnivals each year for Years 3 & 4, playing in a modified format similar to the Paul Kelly Cup
The AFL and the Far North Coast Junior League contacted four regional secondary schools resulting in the inaugural Catholic Cup being played. The 2 day format being a first for the secondary schools competition in the region.
Discussions were taking place with Pottsville (Tigers) during 2005/06 with an Auskick Centre being formed in 2006 in preparation to enter the competition in 2007.
The Far North Coast Juniors compete in Representative Football annually. The Mike Kenny Memorial Shields are representative games played between Far North Coast Juniors and North Coast Juniors. Teams travel each year to compete for the U/12, U/14 and U/16 shields.
Season 2007 will see the competition consists of six clubs from Alstonville to Pottsville with strong moves underway to establish more clubs in the near future.
Last Modified on 12/02/2008 01:16