The various junior football leagues across Gippsland have unanimously agreed to implement key recommendations from AFL Gippsland's Junior Retention Project.
The project, initiated in May 2025, aims to create a thriving junior football landscape where young players feel connected, supported, and passionate about the sport.
With current participation numbers showing 16,166 total participants across junior, youth, and senior levels, and junior participation up 454 year-to-date compared to 2024, including a 13 per cent growth in girls and women's participation, the focus is on building upon this growth and ensuring long-term engagement.
"This is a pivotal moment for junior football in Gippsland," said AFL Gippsland Region Manager Tim Cotter.
"The overwhelming agreement from all junior leagues to adopt these recommendations demonstrates a shared vision and a collective commitment to prioritising the enjoyment and development of our young players above all else."
The implemented recommendations will focus on four crucial areas: 1) coaching, 2) environment, 3) pathways and programs and 4) competitions.
For coaching, coaching and umpiring clinics will be available and minimum accreditation requirements will be some of the innovations added.
Rejuvenated AFL coaching accreditation system introduced across the AFL community landscape in 2025 will see Gippsland junior leagues insist that local Coaches obtain a Bronze level accreditation by 30 June 2026 with plans to move to Silver and Gold levels over progressive years.
The development of a Gippsland Coaching Charter will also be led by the AFL Victoria state coaching team and coach developers in consultation with local coaches at League compulsory pre-season induction and training sessions. A key focus will be actively shifting club cultures away from a "win at all costs" mentality to prioritise enjoyment and individual player development.
In terms of environment, the core objective is to cultivate a positive, inclusive, and welcoming club environment.
All clubs will be required to lodge their club code of conduct to leagues heading into the 2026 season.
There will be increased signage relating to junior football behaviours at all venues, the addition of league approved vests for registered match-day volunteers and support for clubs to develop both player and volunteer recruitment and retention strategies.
For pathways and programs, the leagues are committed to working with clubs to create clear, supportive, and accessible pathways that facilitate smooth transitions for players between age groups and into senior football.
This will involve strengthening robust links and communication between junior leagues and senior clubs and actively integrating junior players into senior club activities.
Importantly, the project aims to clearly communicate that opportunities for higher-level football are available through various local club pathways, dispelling misconceptions that only "major league" clubs offer this route.
AFL Gippsland will increase visibility of school engagements and pathways programs and have offered to host trials for innovative new forms of the game in Gippsland.
Finally, for competitions, the leagues will advocate for and implement regional league structures that prioritise localised competitions and significantly reduce travel distances.
Leagues will investigate and address player distribution imbalances and develop innovative fixturing options, including exploring mid-week or Friday night games, to ensure consistent game opportunities.
Expanding competition options, including more opportunities for girls to play against other girls at all ages, is also a priority with both Sale and Traralgon competitions to apply to AFL Gippsland to add girls only competitions for 2026.
Work will be done in the coming weeks on local junior mercy rules.
Club and league toolkits to support the roll-out of the Junior Retention Project initiatives are currently being finalised and will be made available to all leagues and Cclubs in August.