Melbourne held its recent Community Camp in Mansfield, Bright and the surrounding regions, visiting schools and local clubs. Picture: Melbourne FC

The AFL is pleased to confirm the schedule for the 2025 AFL Community Camps program for another year, with teams heading to regional communities across Australia throughout the pre-season.

From visiting junior clubs, schools and hospitals to taking part in clinics and attending community events, more than 700 AFL players will meet fans, recognise local heroes and inspire the next generation.

Melbourne was the first team to conduct their Community Camp with the Demons paying a visit to Mansfield and the surrounding area in the last week of November 2024, with Essendon following close behind with a visit to Gisborne, Castlemaine and Bendigo between December 2-3.

In New South Wales, the Sydney Swans will engage with fans in the Sydney Harbour region whilst their cross-town rivals, the GWS GIANTS will head to Canberra.

Early in 2025 the Adelaide Crows will head to Port Pirie and surrounds, while Port Adelaide will visit the Barossa and the Clare Valley.

Teams in Victoria will cover significant ground in regional Victoria, including visits to Ballarat, Bendigo, Warragul, Wangaratta and the Mornington Peninsula, while Tasmania will once again host Hawthorn.

In Western Australia, Fremantle paid a visit to the Pilbara last month, whilst West Coast will head to areas of Perth and Bunbury in February.

AFL Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld, said the AFL Community Camps are an essential part of the AFL’s overall goal of engaging with local communities and growing the game from a grassroots level.

"Many of our game’s greatest players began their journeys in remote and regional towns, at small local clubs kept afloat by dedicated volunteers, and the purpose of these camps is for our elite AFL players to connect with members of these communities and give back to those people who live and breathe footy,” Auld said.

"Whilst our diehard supporters jump at the chance to meet their heroes, these camps are also an opportunity to engage and strengthen connection to the game for new fans and participants, ensure Australian football is accessible to everyone.

"I’d like to thank all the clubs, players and staff who help coordinate and deliver the 2025 AFL Community Camps around the country each and every year. They play a vital part in bringing our game to all corners of Australia as we strive to have footy in every home."

The camps have been running since 2003, with more than one million children being reached during school and club visits across Australia over 20 years.

 

2025 AFL Community Camp Schedule

 Club

 Location

 Dates

 Adelaide

Port Pirie and surrounds

Thursday 13th – Friday 14th February 2025

 Brisbane 

Sunshine Coast (January)

Springfield/Ipswich (February)

Tuesday 21st – Friday 24th January 2025 

Monday 3rd – Friday 7th February 2025

 Carlton

Bendigo

Monday 3rd - Tuesday 4th February 

 Collingwood

Warragul/Drouin

Tuesday 11th February

 Essendon

Gisborne - Castlemaine - Bendigo South

Monday 2nd - Tuesday 3rd December

 Fremantle

Pilbara

18-20 November 2024 (completed)

 GWS GIANTS

Canberra 

Wednesday 26th Feb – Thursday 27th Feb

 Geelong

Surf Coast and Colac Otway

Tuesday 4th February - Wednesday 5th February 

 Gold Coast SUNS

Gold Coast/Northern Rivers AND

North Qld – Townsville, Cairns, McKay & Rockhampton

Monday 10th Feb (Gold Coast/Northern Rivers)

Sunday 9th Feb – Monday 10th Feb (North QLD)

 Hawthorn

Launceston

Friday 28th February 

 Melbourne

Mansfield/ Bright/ Benalla/ Euroa/Violet Town

Monday 25th November – Tuesday 26th November (completed)

 North Melbourne

Shepparton & Wyndham

Monday 10th February (Shepparton)

Monday 10th February - Tuesday 11th February (Wyndham)

 Port Adelaide

Barossa & Clare Valley 

Tuesday 11th February 2025

 Richmond

Wangaratta & Wodonga 

Monday 3rd February – Tuesday 4th February

 St Kilda

Portsea/Sorrento

Wednesday 5th - Thursday 6th February 

 Sydney

Sydney Harbour Region

Tuesday February 11th – Wednesday February 12th

 West Coast

Bunbury and Perth

Friday 28th Feb – Saturday 1st March (Bunbury)

Friday 28th Feb (Perth)

 Western Bulldogs

Ballarat, Ararat, Stawell & Horsham

Tuesday 10th December – Wednesday 11th December (completed)

 

For the first time, in 2024 the AFL ran a dedicated AFLW Community Camps program for the elite women’s competition during the pre-season in the lead up to the 2024 NAB AFLW season.