Aussie Rules is on the rise in Canberra and the surrounding region, an area dominated by the rugby union and league.
The Australian Football League (AFL) has had a presence in Canberra for more than 100 years.
Earlier this year, AFL Canberra announced that the Batemans Bay Seahawks would enter its highest level, the Premier Division, from the 2026 season.
Michael Kenny, senior coach and football manager of the Seahawks — the 2024 AFL Canberra Community Club of the Year — said it was a bit scary but very exciting.
“The reasoning behind us going down this path and showing interest in going up a division is for the number of players now driving up from the South Coast to play with teams in Canberra to this standard,” Mr Kenny said.
He said they were currently driving hundreds of kilometres from areas, including Nowra and Merimbula, for training and matches.
“It’s good for us now without having to drive so far,” Mr Kenny said.
He said AFL Canberra approached the Seahawks in July 2023, but the club wasn’t ready at the time.
“AFL Canberra and AFL NSW/ACT brought out a minimum standard document, and in that, we had a few things to tick off around facilities and our junior base,” he said.
Mr Kenny said women’s AFL on the South Coast was a big driver in the AFL becoming a sport of choice in a rugby region.
“We had the introduction of our women’s program in 2019 and each year we’re gradually bringing in another female team to our ranks,” he said.
“Across the board, our women’s participation seems to increase every year, which is great.”
He said other factors included sponsorship and community engagement, and the success of the club in other divisions.
The Seahawks have been part of the AFL Canberra’s Community Division since 2013, winning premierships in 2018 and 2023.
AFL Canberra said the inclusion of the Seahawks reflected the club’s growth and long-term vision to be a leading, sustainable football club on the South Coast of NSW, providing opportunities for players of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities.
AFL ACT and Southern NSW manager Steven Maher said as of 2026, the Bateman’s Bay Seahawks will be the seventh club to compete in the AFL Canberra Premier Division.
“Their entry is a representation of the passion for AFL on the South Coast and the club’s dedication and commitment to growing Aussie Rules in the region,” Mr Maher said.
“While further strengthening the health of the Premier Division by creating a genuine pathway to introduce new talent into an elevated, premier AFL competition.”
He said the AFL Canberra league also included up to 12 community clubs and eight junior clubs.
Mr Maher said AFL has been in the region for more than 100 years.
“We’re continuing to see positive growth throughout the region,” he said.
“From increasing numbers at the participation level, including among women and girls, to strong crowds at the elite level when the GWS Giants AFL and AFLW teams descend on Manuka Oval.
“As well as several players from Canberra or the surrounding region that are now in the GWS Giants Academy or elite teams that have come through the AFL Canberra pathway, such as Tarni Evans from Tathra/Queanbeyan and Tom Green from Marist College.”
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