More than 300 AFL players will be return to grass-roots football matches this weekend as community football clubs across the country celebrate Community Football Weekend.

As part of the 150 Years of Australian Football celebrations, no AFL matches have been fixtured for the weekend of May 9-11 to give all football supporters the opportunity to return to local footy and celebrate its integral role in the community.

150 Years Ambassador Kevin Sheedy said AFL players were looking forward to getting back to where their football careers began.

“Players from all 16 AFL clubs will be travelling around the country to watch matches and take part in activities that community clubs have organised, it will be a fantastic experience for the players and everyone involved.”

Sheedy said that many of the players would be returning to their former community clubs.

“Community Football Weekend will be a great opportunity for players to say thank you to the clubs that launched their careers; no AFL player would be in the position they are in without their community footy club.”

Community football is the heart and soul of our game. In 2007 more than 600,000 people played Australian Football and many more coached, umpired, officiated, volunteered and supported our game at all levels.

“By calling on the entire football community to get together, we are anticipating that a record two million people will attend football matches this weekend,” Sheedy said.


Catch up with the Hawks at a local footy club:


Cyril Rioli, Travis Tuck

South Croydon v Bayswater

Eastern FL (Div 2)

Saturday May 10

2.10pm

Cheong Park

Eastfield Rd South Croydon


Jordan Lewis

North Warrnambool v Warrnambool

Hampden FL

Saturday May 10

2pm

Bushfield Oval

Hopkins Hwy, Bushfield


Shane Crawford

Finley v Nathalia

Murray FL

Saturday May 10

Tocumwal Street


Grant Birchall

Devonport v South Launceston

NTFL

Saturday May 10

2pm

Devonport Oval

Devonport


Grant Birchall

Devonport Districts Mini League

Junior

Sunday May 11

10am


Beau Muston, Max Bailey

City v Country (Junior Challenge)

Tamar Mini League

Saturday May 10

11am

Beaconsfield


Beau Muston, Max Bailey

Launceston v Ulverstone

NTFL

Saturday May 10

2pm

Windsor Park

 
Simon Taylor

St Virgils v Hutchins

OSFA

Saturday May 10

2pm

Newtown


Stephen Gilham

Burnie v Wynyard

NTFL

Saturday May 10

2pm

Burnie Dockers Football Club

 
Stephen Gilham

Ridgley v Cuprona

Darwin FA

Saturday May 10

2pm

Ridgley Sports Ground

 
Brent Guerra

Lindisfarne v Central Hawks

SFL Regional

Saturday May 10

2pm

Anzac Park

Lindisfarne


Michael Osborne

Old Scotch v Fingal Valley

NTFA Div 2

Saturday May 10

2pm

NTCA Ground

Launceston


Robert Campbell
(Rutherglen)

Yackandandah v Rutherglen

Tallangatta & District FL

Saturday May 10


Clinton Young (Minyip-Murtoa)

Minyip-Murtoa v Horsham Diggers

Wimmera FL

Saturday May 10 

Minyip Rec Reserve

 
Stuart Dew, Mark Williams

Nar Nar Goon v Buln Buln

Ellinbank FL

Saturday May 10

Spencer St, Nar Nar Goon (Map 319 E10)


Tim Boyle (Leopold)

Leopold v Colac

Geelong FL

Saturday May 10

2:10pm

Leopold Memorial Reserve

Melaluka Road, Leopold


Tom Murphy (Murrumbeena)

Caulfield v Murrumbeena

Southern FL

Saturday May 10

2.00 pm

Caulfield FC

Beech st Caulfield South