AFL Victoria has announced a new partnership with Leisure Networks, AFL Barwon and the Football Integration Development Association (FIDA) to create the first dedicated junior-to-youth pathway in Australian Rules football for boys and girls aged 10–17 with an intellectual disability.
The initiative aims to close a long-standing gap in the football landscape by offering structured opportunities beyond mainstream competitions, helping young players develop their skills and confidence in an inclusive environment.
Beginning in 2026, Leisure Networks will deliver school-based programs in Special Development Schools across Victoria, leading to inter-school gala days that encourage participation and connection. Insights from these activities will inform the launch of community-based inclusion competitions in 2027, coordinated by AFL Barwon and FIDA.
Together, these organisations are building a supported pathway from Auskick through to inclusive youth football, ensuring that all young people, regardless of ability, have the chance to play, belong, and thrive in the game they love.