The great Australian game of football is celebrating its 150th birthday this year and to mark the milestone Adelaide Crows and Port Power players will be in the region this weekend.
As one of the events to celebrate local footy May 9-11, is community football weekend
No AFL matches are being played so players, coaches and staff can return to grass roots games around the country.
An Adelaide Crows player will be at the Northern Areas Football Association game between Broughton-Mundoora versus Southern Flinders this Saturday.
Other matches taking place on community weekend are Orroroo versus Jamestown-Peterborough and BMW versus Crystal Brook.
In the North Eastern Football League a Port Power player will make an appearance at the RSMU versus Mintaro-Manoora match.
Other matches in the round are BSR versus South Clare, Blyth-Snowtown versus BBH while North Clare will take on Eudunda.
In the Spencer Gulf League a Port Power player will be at the Port versus Sollies game.
Other matches in the community round are South versus Lions with West taking on Central.
Since the first recorded game of Australian football in 1858, footy has spread across the nation and become an integral part of Australian culture and community life.
AFL chief executive officer Andrew Demetriou said the 150th birthday is a chance for local clubs and leagues to celebrate their own history, volunteers and characters.
“The 150 years celebration recognises the significance of Australian football at all levels of the game, from the AFL through to the State leagues and local metropolitan to country junior football clubs,” he said.
“From NAB AFL Auskick centres, through to the fierce community league rivalries, right down to school yard games of Australian football.”
“We invite local communities and football players, supporters and volunteers to come together and celebrate Australian football’s milestone,” Mr Demetriou said.
“Let’s recognise its past, enjoy its present and look forward to the future of the game.”
Mid North SANFL development coordinator Craig Oliphant said the AFL was trying to send players back to their local club or league for community football weekend.
“It is great for the players to come out and visit and see the kids,” he said.
“It will be an inpspiration for many kids and they will go away thinking, if he can do it, so can I.”
“Hopefully there will be big crowds to the games on the weekend and to see the players,” Oliphant said.
Up to two million people across the country are expected to attend community games this weekend.
At the elite level a hall of fame tribute match will take place between Victoria and the Dream Team at the MGC on Saturday.
The Dream Team will wear guernseys with the names of all the 1246 community clubs from around the country including those from South Australia.
All the teams in the NAFA appear on the top, from Broughton-Mundoora through to Orroroo.
Teams from the NEFL and SGL can also be found on the top.
You can search for your team on the guernsey at the 150 years website www.150years.com.au.
Here you can also find out more about events happening during the year and give your ideas about how the great game can continue grow over the next 150 years.
August 7, marks the official birthday of Australian football with a number of special events planned.
The first kick around the world day will encourage Australians here and around the world to take a footy to work or school and have a kick at 12 noon.
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