Footy festival to kick off with help from Council grant

Footy festival to kick off with help from Council grant

Published on 09 April 2026

Australian Rules Football teams from across Capricornia will kick off their season with support from Rockhampton Regional Council.

Through its Community Assistance Program, Council has provided $7,000 in funding from round three of the 2025/26 program to support this year's Festival of Footy.

The event is Central Queensland's equivalent of the AFL's Gather Round, bringing all six Capricornia clubs together to compete at the same venue over one weekend.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said Council provided more than $250,000 to support 71 community events in the 2025/26 financial year.

"The Festival of Footy is exactly what Council's Community Assistance Program is all about. Events that bring people together around the things they love," Mayor Williams said.

"We're happy to invest in initiatives that unite clubs, families and fans from across the region.

"Central Queenslanders love their footy and I can't think of a better way to kick off the Aussie Rules season."

Communities, Culture and Heritage Councillor Drew Wickerson said events like Festival of Footy are an essential date on the footy calendar.

"We know how much our community loves their footy, and I'm sure there will be some young kids who will see these local players and get the inspiration," Cr Wickerson said.

"We really encourage everyone to support this weekend's competition, players and clubs."

AFL Capricornia Competition Manager Jourdan Novak said the grant would allow organisers to scale up operations and continue to grow the event, now in its second year.

Mr Novak said the event would feature 450 participants from across the Capricornia region, as well as players from Mackay and Moranbah, with 50 Panthers Football Club volunteers and AFLQ staff working the event to bring it to life.

"We also have GC Suns AFLW players visiting to be a part of the weekend, hoping to bring more supporters from the wider region together," Mr Novak said.

Mr Novak said AFL's popularity was continuously growing in Rockhampton.

"Queensland now sits as the second largest AFL participant state in the country, and regionally we can see that growth year to year with more and more kids in particular wanting to be like the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions who are having success at the top level," Mr Novak said.

"AFL in general, but particularly in our local clubs, is such a welcoming and inclusive sport. All our clubs are so open to new and existing players and work tirelessly every year to have the best facilities, culture and matchday experiences which, as a whole region in Capricornia working together, helps grow our great game."

The Festival of Footy kicks off at 4.35pm on Friday, 10 April with the Boys and Girls Futures matches at the Rockhampton Cricket Grounds.

The event continues Saturday, 11 April from 9am.

For more information about the Festival of Footy visit the AFL Capricornia website.

The Community Assistance Program supports non-profit community-based organisations with funding for grants and sponsorships towards projects and events that enhance the region's well-being.

For more information and how to apply, contact Council Community Services on 4936 8368 or visit our website.

ENDS

• Mayor Tony Williams
• Deputy Mayor Drew Wickerson
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