The Australian Football League has revealed its new flagship national event for footballers with an intellectual disability and wheelchair players – the Toyota AFL Open.
Set to take place for the first time at South Pine Sports Complex in Queensland between November 21 and 26, the 2024 Toyota AFL Open will see more than 200 players represent their state and territory, competing for coveted national titles in:
2024 Toyota AFL Open – Wheelchair
2024 Toyota AFL Open – Inclusion
Previously held across two events known as the Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival and the Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships, the 2024 Toyota AFL Open aims to elevate and strengthen the competitions by combining both into one major tournament.
More than 90 matches will run concurrently over the course of the five-day event with the inclusion division utilising the grassed oval space and the wheelchair AFL games taking place on the indoor courts.
The new national event and the creation of the AFL Open brand marks the start of a new era for disability inclusion, as the AFL strives to increase participation and boost pathways for people with disability from grassroots to elite.
Embodying the spirit, passion and commitment of the players, AFL Open is open to all. Open to those hungry for the contest, open to the young, the seasoned and the new. AFL Open is the new home for disability inclusion participation.
Around Australia there are more than 14,000 disability inclusion participants across NAB AFL Auskick, NAB AFL Superkick, AFL Nines, junior, youth and senior divisions. This national number is up nearly 20 per cent from 2022, with strong growth especially seen in juniors – rising by 34 per cent in the last two years.
