This page explains how to nominate for selection in the 12 years and under boys and girls Australian football state teams to compete at the School Sport Australia championships in 2026.

Who can nominate to be selected

To nominate for selection, students must be:

• enrolled at an affiliated school.
• born in 2014, 2015, 2016.

Where and when

Venue TBC, Australian Capital Territory

Sunday 2 August to Sunday 9 August 2026.

Travel dates may vary due to flight availability.

Team officials

• Boys coach - Chris Slattery, St Joseph's School Clare
• Boys assistant coach - Mitch Larsson, Tenison Woods College
• Boys team manager - Shane Arbon, St Joseph's School Gladstone
• Girls coach - Ella Mickan, Nuriootpa High School
• Girls assistant coach - John Douvartzidis, Riverdale Primary School
• Girls team manager - Lauren Breguet, School Sport SA

The team will be under the supervision of the team officials to meet supervision ratios.

How to nominate for trials

A non-refundable trial fee of $10 inc GST per student is to be paid when nominating online.

Nominations closed 4:00pm Wednesday 8 April 2026.

Trial details

Boys:

Note:
- Parents will receive an email 24 hours after nominations close informing them which day of the trials to attend.
- Canteen facilities available at Broadview oval

Trial 1a:
Monday 13 April
Broadview Oval, Poltawa Terrace, Adelaide South Australia 5083
9am-3pm

Trial 1b:
Tuesday 14 April
Broadview Oval, Poltawa Terrace, Adelaide South Australia 5083
9am-3pm

Trial 2: (Invite Only)
Sunday 26 April
King Rodney Park (Park 15), Wakefield Rd, Adelaide South Australia 5000 (Across from Prince Alfred College)
9am-12pm

Girls:

Trial 1:
Monday 13 April
Campbelltown Memorial Oval, Crowle Rd, Paradise SA 5075
10:00am-12:30pm

Trial 2:
Tuesday 14 April
Campbelltown Memorial Oval, Crowle Rd, Paradise SA 5075
10:00am-12:30pm

Trial 3: 
Wednesday 15 April
Nuriootpa Football Club,  Penrice Rd, Nuriootpa SA 5355
10:00am-12:30pm

Trial 4:
Friday 24 April
Campbelltown Memorial Oval, Crowle Rd, Paradise SA 5075
6:00pm - 7:30pm

Trials are run in a safe and supportive learning environment to select the state team to compete at the School Sport Australia Championships.

• Students are to wear an appropriate school sports top, footwear any sport specific equipment.
• Parents/caregivers are responsible for organising transport to and from the trials.
• If unforeseen circumstances mean the trials are unable to go ahead, families and schools will be notified as soon as possible. Trials will either be rescheduled if time permits, or an alternative option will be organised.

Team lists

Boys

• Elias Abboud, Sacred Heart College Champagnat
• Caleb Anderson, Ardtornish Primary School
• Hugh Brown, Prince Alfred College
• Zane Burckhardt, Nazareth Catholic College Middle Years Flinders Park
• Jobe Clifford, St Josephs School Clare
• Jimmy Davies, Maitland Lutheran School
• Finn Delany, Blackfriars Priory School
• William Forbes, Banksia Park International High School
• Nate Gabel, Adelaide High School
• Louie Gerlach, St Johns Grammar Secondary Campus
• Jack Gibbons, Adelaide High School
• Liam Hooper, Immanuel College
• Eddie Kanongata’a, Glenelg Primary School
• Henry Schwerdt, Our Lady Queen of Peace School
• Hudson Thaller, Grange Primary School
• Bryce Urmersbach, Trinity College North
• Eddie Valentine, Kapunda High School
• Callum Vogler, Kidman Park Primary School
• Zack Wachowicz, St Michaels College
• Blake Williams, Golden Grove High School

Girls

• Camilla Alderton, Williamstown Primary School
• Marissa Bickle, John Hartley School B-6
• Elkie Clark, St James School
• Maya Devitt, Nazareth Catholic College Middle Years Flinders Park
• Norah Dewis, Cabra Dominican College
• Bethany Forlani, Trinity College South
• Grace Fuss, Scotch College
• Alice Hedley-Jones, Cedar College
• Delilah James, All Saints Catholic Primary School
• Jordan Kean, South Port Primary School
• Aubrey Kinbacher, Trinity College South
• Millicent McCormack, Snowtown Primary School
• Harper McDonnell, Wynn Vale School
• Miranda McLachlan, Caritas College
• Niamh Pudney, Wilderness School
• Sienna Sampson, Henley High School
• Abigail Schulz, Pedare Christian College
• Elsa Tothill, Concordia College
• Brooke Twynstra, Allenby Gardens Primary School
• Abbie Walsh, Nazareth Catholic College Primary Findon

Selection criteria

Students will be involved in drills and competitive scenarios to select the team based on

• Ability and game sense in the sport
• Willingness to listen and learn from feedback
• Teamwork
• Level of skill and sport knowledge
• Fitness level and effort
• Positive attitude at trials and school
• Demonstration of being a good sport and behaviour on and off the playing arena

Parental permission must be obtained to be selected to attend the championship.

School endorsement

Selection in a School Sport SA state team requires endorsement from the student’s school principal before confirming their place in the team. Therefore, parents are advised not to make any arrangements that incur costs until the school has confirmed that the student fulfils all requirements.

Training and championship expectations

All selected team members will be required to attend all team trainings and a team photo shoot.

Country team members travelling more than 2 hours can negotiate their commitment.

The selected student agrees to attend the competition for the full duration including the opening and closing ceremonies and the educational experience.

Accommodation, flights, and daily transport

Parents/caregivers who can accompany their child must book and manage accommodation, flights and daily transport for the entire championship.

Should this not be possible then the family will need to negotiate with School Sport SA to arrange appropriate flights, accommodation, meals and daily transport for their child which will be an additional cost. Negotiations must begin within 1 week of the team being announced.

Championship costs

An individual itemised account will be provided for every student selected in a School Sport SA state team.

The anticipated cost to School Sport SA is approximately $700 which includes levies to participate at the championship and any training costs. Walkout and competition uniforms will be approximately $450 depending on the number of items ordered. This will be a separate online ordering process where payment is made directly to the supplier.

Accommodation, flights, meals, daily transport and personal spending money will be an additional cost for families and will not appear on the invoice from School Sport SA.

Fixtures and results

See School Sport Australia Australian Football for fixtures and results as they are available.