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Mt Gravatt Vultures AFC is proud to sponsor and facilitate this program, delivered with Ascend Sports Academy and supported by AFL Queensland.
Free youth program · Saturday 5 September 2026
AFL YouthPathway Day
Open to every player, every club
Free
Lunch included
Boys & girls
Book your spot →
Book today so we have group and lunch numbers right
What it is
One morning. The step up to Youth football.
Moving from junior footy into Youth football is the biggest change a player goes through. Bigger field, tackling, longer quarters, a different game.
The AFL Youth Pathway Day is a free half-day program designed by Ascend Sports Academy coaches to get players ready for that step. Four on-field stations in the morning, then theory sessions for players and parents together.
It runs at Dittmer Park / Southside Toyota Oval and it is open to every player in the age group, from any club or no club at all. Parents are invited to stay for the whole morning.
If they already play
Stepping up to U13s
Youth football is a different game. Bigger field, tackling, longer quarters. This session covers all of it before round one, so the jump is not a shock.
If they have never played
Brand new to footy
You do not need to have played a game. If your player has never picked up a Sherrin, this is the best way to learn how the game works and start next season knowing what to do.
Boys and girls, equally
Four groups run all morning: two boys groups and two girls groups. Girls get their own coaching, their own rotation and the same four stations. Nobody tags along.
Station 01
Kicking Masterclass
Technique focus and analysis. Breaking down the kick and rebuilding it.
Station 02
Tackling
Safety and technique, first in isolation, then in live gameplay.
Station 03
Contested Ball Method
Shape and spread around the contest. Reading where to be before the ball gets there.
Station 04
Strength Introduction
Basic lifts, safety and technique. An introduction to loading the body properly.
Every group rotates through all four stations
Two boys groups, two girls groups. Nobody sits out a station.
The running sheet
How the morning runs
Players are split into four groups. Two boys groups, two girls groups.
8:30AM
Welcome and introduction · All groups activate and warm up together
8:45AM
Boys 1Strength
Boys 2Kicking
Girls 1Tackling
Girls 2Contested Ball
9:10AM
Drinks break
9:15AM
Boys 1Contested Ball
Boys 2Strength
Girls 1Kicking
Girls 2Tackling
9:40AM
Drinks break
9:45AM
Boys 1Tackling
Boys 2Contested Ball
Girls 1Strength
Girls 2Kicking
10:10AM
Drinks break
10:15AM
Boys 1Kicking
Boys 2Tackling
Girls 1Contested Ball
Girls 2Strength
10:40AM
Theory sessions beginAll groups together with their parents. Four presentations, 10 to 15 minutes each.
11:30AM
Lunch providedFree lunch for every participant. Finish at 12:00pm.
Theory sessions · 10:40am
Four talks. Players and parents together.
01
High Performing Habits
What the players who keep improving actually do between training sessions.
02
Introduction to Youth Football
Delivered by AFL Queensland. Rule differences, field size, game structure and how the Youth grades work.
03
Confidence and Resilience Workshop
Handling nerves, handling mistakes, and staying in the contest after a bad quarter.
04
Nutrition and Recovery
Presented by Sam Joppich, Head of Strength and Conditioning at the BSSSC AFL Academy.
Why parents should stay
The theory block is built for parents as much as players. If your child is moving into Youth football next season, this is the session that explains what changes and what to expect.
- Rule differences, field size and game structure, straight from AFL Queensland
- How the AFL pathway works generally, presented by AFL Queensland
- Nutrition, recovery and strength work that is appropriate for a growing player
- Confidence and resilience tools you can use at home
Before you come
The details
CostFree. No charge to participants.
FoodLunch provided at 11:30am. Canteen open on the day.
Age groupBorn 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2015
Open toBoys and girls. Any club, or no club at all.
VenueDittmer Park / Southside Toyota Oval
Cnr Logan & Klumpp Roads, Upper Mt Gravatt QLD 4122
Cnr Logan & Klumpp Roads, Upper Mt Gravatt QLD 4122
ParentsWelcome all morning, and needed for the theory block
A development day, not a recruitment day. Players attend as players of their own club and stay registered there. Run under AFL Queensland community football policies.
Numbers are limited
Registration is free and takes a minute. Book today so we have groups and lunch right.
Book your spot →
Club and venue
Tony Hope
Boys Youth Coordinator, Mt Gravatt Vultures AFC
0427 703 990
mtgafc.youthboys@gmail.com