Following the reduced 12 round season of 2020 in light of the Covid 19 pandemic, season 2021 bought many changes across the SEQ junior and youth competition including the reduction of home and away rounds for juniors (u8 - U11) to 12 rounds and the youth (u12 - 17) competition from the previous 16 rounds, back to 14 rounds this year. With a 4 week closure of grounds in preseason due to incredible amounts of rain, constant changes in Covid restrictions, and the home and away season closure at round 13 due to another outbreak, 2021 has not been without challenges and were not done yet !
Opening the season was our Auskick kids which attracted 50 participants boys and girls up on our village green (Oval 3) on Saturday mornings. Mum's and Dad's new to the club all got involved from session one led by our Coach Paris Richardson from our U17 Girls. Paris had an ACL operation at the end of 2020 and decided to get her coaching career underway. Paris and dad David, provided a great environment for all.
Continued growth in the Girls space saw the introduction of the U9 Girls junior competition. Girls from Auskick and mixed U8's now had their own team to join the girls space. Additional teams were added in the u11's and U15 Girls teams to push the Girls total registration in our junior club to 150 players. The Sharks now boast U9, 2 x U11, 2 x U13, 2 x U15 and our U17's with a pathway into senior footy with the Southport Sharks women's program.
The Southport Sharks Junior AFL Club partnered with " The advertising works" TAW media agency with all junior and youth girls teams.
Chris May - Managing Director
"Big thank you to the Southport Sharks Junior AFL for the opportunity to partner with the Junior & Youth Girls teams in 2021." TAW are the naming rights jumper sponsor to all girls teams
The Sharks boys space also had growth in 2021 increasing to 18 teams plus our U18 colts alliance with the Beenleigh Sharks. 11 teams in the junior U8 to U11's and 7 youth teams covering Division 1,2 & 3 in the SEQ youth competition. Adding to our club is the addition of 5 teams in our U6 Superstars. Total numbers at the Southport Sharks broke a new barrier is 2021 to reach 507 total junior club members.
The Sharks Coaching squad reached a total of 51 coaches across all teams this year with many new coaches teaming up with experienced coaches to aid in coach development. Seven Coaches across the club hold level 2 AFL accreditation and of course our St Kilda Hall of Fame champion "Spida" Everitt is thrown in for for good measure looking after our U14 div 1 boys.
Our coaches have shown great leadership in the club and continually strive to maintain the clubs vision to foster the game and uphold its values of "respect, family, honour and discipline."
Life Member - Glenn Griffin
Glen has once again looked after and coordinated our Footy4Fun umpires throughout the year for all games at our venue for U8's through to U11's boys and girls team. Glenn can be found roaming the ovals on Saturdays offering support to all of our girls and boys donning the umpire uniform.
With a pool of 12 umpires, Glenn continues to run a well oiled machine each weekend and reminds all players, coaches and parents to respect our umpires and enjoy the game. Glenn is also active with the club management committee.
With the Footy4Fun season now over, and a few question marks of current lock downs, the youth season has arrived at finals football. If lock downs are lifted in SE Qld this weekend, Southport will hold Semi Final action at Fankhauser Reserve on Friday night the 13th of August, across both ovals and again on Sunday the 15th with both ovals in action again.
Semi Final Fixture
Coming off 4 premierships in 2020, Southport Sharks have 10 out of 12 youth teams playing finals football which is an incredible reflection on the the clubs coaching programs and of course our developing talent within the club. We wish all teams, players and coaches the best in the finals series (Covid dependent)
In other exciting news, Southport Sharks will hold the SEQ Competition Grand Final this year, using both ovals again over a Friday night and Sunday double oval feature. Southport last hosted the Grand Final in 2015 and is excited to host all clubs in attendance to enjoy the venue and facilities. The canteen and merchandise shop will be available during all finals and excepts cash or card.
Junior Presentations for Superstars through to U11's will be held on Saturday Aust 21 at the club with an awards ceremony followed by a BBQ and parents v players match on the junior oval.
Our Youth Presentations will return to the Sharks events centre on September 19th and will be divided in to 3 sessions during the day culminating with our traditional youth dinner and B&F vote count awards night.
Check the events page on our site to purchase dinner bookings. (U15,U16 & U17 only)
Well, fingers crossed we can get this show back on the road and give everyone the opportunity to finish the season off. We will keep you updated through our social media Facebook and Instagram pages for daily information - Find us at
Southport Sharks junior AFL
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