The inaugural 2024 Toyota AFL Open gets underway in Queensland next week as the AFL's new flagship national event for elite footballers with an intellectual impairment and wheelchair players officially embarks on its new era.
Taking place between Friday, November 22 and Tuesday, November 26, more than 300 players, coaches and support staff representing 17 teams across each state and territory will make their way to South Pine Sports Complex in Brisbane ready to compete for coveted national titles in:
- 2024 Toyota AFL Open – Wheelchair
- 2024 Toyota AFL Open – Inclusion
The Toyota AFL Open marks the first time these championships have been hosted concurrently at one major tournament, with 90 matches scheduled over the five-day event.
Ahead of the action on day one, Lions triple premiership player Jonathan Brown will be a special guest at the event's official welcome dinner on Thursday evening, with tunes supplied by DJ Cooper Smith – an 18-year-old artist with Cerebral Palsy who recently performed at the Olympic and Paralympic Welcome Home Melbourne Celebrations as well as Beyond The Valley (2023), Ability Fest (2023) and Australian Open (2024).
Nine mixed teams will utilise the indoor courts to compete for the 2024 Toyota AFL Open – Wheelchair crown including reigning national champs Vic Metro, Vic Country, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales/ACT, Northern Territory, Tasmania and the Returned and Services League (RSL).
While on the grassed oval space outside, eight men's teams will battle it out for the 2024 Toyota AFL Open – Inclusion title including last year’s winner Tasmania, Vic Country, Vic Metro, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory and New South Wales/ACT.
Across both wheelchair and inclusion divisions, the first two days of the competition will consist of lightning rounds which will determine who progresses to divisional matches, culminating in the grand finals on Tuesday 26 November.
An All-Stars Wheelchair AFL Game will take place on the last day of the Toyota AFL Open featuring Brisbane AFL premiership player Will Ashcroft, Richmond AFLW captain Katie Brennan and Australia's Paris Paralympic flag bearer Brenden Hall – just to name a few! A women and girls Inclusion exhibition match will also be held on the final day between Victoria and Queensland in a Nines format.
Aiming to elevate and strengthen the overall event experience and boost the exposure of the pathway system for people with disability from grassroots to elite, the 2024 Toyota AFL Open is FREE to attend for all fans and the final two days can be viewed live and free via AFL Play YouTube or Kayo Freebies.
AFL Queensland will also host three additional activations including:
- Friday, November 22: AFL Queensland Schools of Excellence: NINES challenge
- Saturday, November 23: School Sport Carnival for Secondary Students with Intellectual Impairment
- Monday, November 25: Toyota AFL Open Abilities Unleashed (DSA & AFL)
AFL Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld said the anticipation was building ahead of the inaugural 2024 Toyota AFL Open.
"The inception of the 2024 Toyota AFL Open on our national calendar is a milestone moment for Australian football and we cant' wait for the action to start next week in Queensland," Auld said.
"It's a priority for us that footy is accessible and open to everyone and that we have pathways for players with disability to develop and compete – from NAB AFL Auskick all the way to elite and being able to represent your state on the national stage.
"This will be the third consecutive year that every state and territory has fielded a mixed wheelchair AFL team, showcasing the strength and depth of the competition. In hosting a women and girls inclusion exhibition match too, we’re hoping to grow participation in this space to ensure we can create a women's division over the coming years.
"I'd like to thank Toyota for their support and invaluable contribution in the creation of the 2024 Toyota AFL Open. The commitment Toyota has shown across a number of years for our disability and inclusion events and players is a reflection of their passion for our game and making it accessible for all.
"I'd also like to thank City of Moreton Bay, the South Pine Sports Complex, Maple Community Services and our AFL Queensland team for their support and role they have played to host the inaugural event.
"Good luck to everyone involved, I'm looking forward to catching all the action!"
Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo emphasised Toyota's pride in championing disability inclusion and representation across the AFL.
"Toyota is excited to see the AFL Open come to life over the coming days, providing those with disabilities the opportunity to play Australia's favourite game and making it more accessible for all," Mr Naidoo said.
"AFL has a distinct way of bringing communities together and embracing all, and Toyota will continue to throw its support behind programs like the AFL Open to assist in the continuous growth and improvement of the game for those with disabilities.
"On behalf of Toyota, I congratulate each player, member of staff, volunteer, and fans, on what will be an exceptional competition and wish all participating teams the best of luck."
The 2024 Toyota AFL Open is also supported by the City of Moreton Bay, Maple Community Services, Disability Sports Australia (DSA) and the Australian Defence Force.
City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Peter Flannery said he was delighted to host the Toyota AFL Open, and that it highlights City of Moreton Bay’s commitment to providing accessible and inclusive world-class facilities.
"I'm thrilled to welcome this prestigious national event to the popular South Pine Sports Complex. I'm proud that our commitment to accessibility and investment in specially designed sports facilities that cater to diverse needs means we can attract and host events like this," Mayor Flannery said.
"I am excited to welcome the players, support staff, and fans to City of Moreton Bay and invite everyone to enjoy the wide variety of experiences we have to offer."
For all Toyota AFL Open team announcements head to play.afl and follow AFL state and territory social media accounts for all the latest updates.
About AFL Open
Previously held across two events known as the Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival and the Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships, the 2024 Toyota AFL Open aims to elevate and strengthen the competitions by combining both into one major tournament.
The new national event and the creation of the AFL Open brand marks the start of a new era for disability inclusion, as the AFL strives to increase participation and boost pathways for people with disability from grassroots to elite.
Embodying the spirit, passion and commitment the of the players, AFL Open is open to all. Open to those hungry for the contest, open to the young, the seasoned and the new. AFL Open is the new home for disability inclusion participation.
Around Australia there are more than 17,000 disability inclusion participants across NAB AFL Auskick, NAB AFL Superkick, AFL Nines, junior, youth and senior divisions.
