The AFL advises the 2018 AFL National Inclusion Carnival begins today, Monday June 18, in Launceston, Tasmania.      

The AFL National Inclusion Carnival brings together footballers with an intellectual disability from across the country to take part in a round-robin carnival with teams representing the Northern Territory, NSW/ACT, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro, and Western Australia.    

Throughout the week players will compete in the Carnival, participate in education sessions and deliver football clinics to local special school students. For the first time in the Carnival’s history, the Grand Final match will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Round 14 Hawthorn vs Gold Coast SUNS match at UTAS Stadium.      

AFL General Manager Game Development, Andrew Dillon, said the Carnival is a true indication the AFL is committed to building opportunities to play our game, ensuring it is accessible to all.    

"The AFL supports and promotes inclusion of our game at all levels and the AFL National Inclusion Carnival provides an opportunity for players to play the game they love, socialise with their friends and be a part of a national event representing their State or Territory," Mr. Dillon said.    

"The Carnival not only gives some of Australia's most talented footballers the chance to represent their State/Territory but is also an opportunity to showcase the significant abilities of footballers with an intellectual disability to the broader community.      

"To have the opportunity to pull on their State or Territory jumpers may be a dream for these footballers but the personalities we see on the field and the great stories we hear is what really captures the true spirit of the Carnival."    

For many years players with intellectual disabilities from Victoria and South Australia competed in an annual state of origin match. In 2013, players from NSW/ACT joined the carnival and Victoria was split into two teams (Metro and Country) to form a four-team competition.

Victoria Country was victorious in the 2014 carnival which also saw the introduction of teams from Queensland and Tasmania. Western Australia participated in the carnival for the first time in 2015 where Victoria Metro claimed the honours.

Victoria Metro then went back-to-back-to-back, defeating South Australia in Melbourne in 2016 and NSW/ACT on the Gold Coast in 2017.

Each participant in the Carnival must be male, over 16 years of age and have an intellectual disability.    

For more information including fixtures and live results, head to www.community.afl    

2018 AFL National Inclusion Carnival Itinerary    

Monday June 18
–Welcoming Function at UTAS Stadium (7.00pm – 8.30pm)    

Tuesday June 19
– Lightning Carnival at UTAS Stadium and Invermay Park

 Wednesday June 20  
– Division One and Two matches at University Oval, University of Tasmania  
– Education sessions      

Thursday June 21  
– Football Clinics with students from special schools at Youngtown Oval (Highgate St, Youngtown)  
– Division One and Two matches at Youngtown Oval    
– Team dinners with local clubs    

Friday June 22  
– Division One and Two matches at NTCA (Racecourse Cres, Launceston)  
– Division One playoffs at NTCA  
– Division Two playoffs at NTCA  
– All Australian selection night    

Saturday June 23  
– Division Two Grand Final at UTAS Stadium commencing 9.45am (on-field presentation to follow)  
– Division One Grand Final at UTAS Stadium commencing 11.15am (on-field presentation to follow)  
– Watch AFL Match (Hawthorn vs. Gold Coast SUNS)  – AFL National Inclusion Carnival Closing Ceremony (from 7.00pm)  
– Team Best & Fairest Awards  
– Announcement of All Australian Squad