Footy fans will be able to get close to their favourite AFL players for free throughout Adelaide’s suburbs during Gather Round, with SANFL grounds set to host open training sessions and SANFL clinics.
Training sessions are free and open to the public, while families can registered children aged 5-12 for the SANFL clinics online.
The open training sessions proved a surprise hit of the inaugural Gather Round, with a huge crowd flocking to Unley Oval to watch the Carlton Blues train at the traditional home of the Double Blues.
This year, the open training sessions and SANFL clinics will be hosted at suburban grounds from Glenelg to Mount Barker, and Elizabeth to Noarlunga.
The schedule of open training sessions adds to an already stellar lineup of free, unticketed family entertainment across the week of Gather Round, including Gather in the Hills at Hahndorf on April 6 and Sunday April 7, and the return of the Norwood Food & Wine Festival on Sunday April 7.
The AFL clubs will also be hosting player appearances and other activations at the free Footy Festival site at Elder Park throughout Gather Round.
Locals and visitors can plan their week at the AFL’s Gather Round Hub at www.afl.com.au/gather-round.
Wednesday April 3
9:30am Melbourne Open Training – Hisense Stadium (Richmond Oval)
4:00pm Adelaide SANFL Clinic – Stratarama Stadium (Glenelg Oval)
5:00pm Adelaide Open Training – Stratarama Stadium (Glenelg Oval)
Thursday April 4
10:00am Brisbane Open Training – Norwood Oval
10:00am Port Adelaide Open Training – Alberton Oval
12:30pm North Melbourne Open Training – Norwood Oval
3:00pm Carlton SANFL Clinic – Maughan Thiem Kia Oval (Woodville Oval)
3:30pm Sydney SANFL Clinic – Pop up Park Mt Barker
5:30pm West Coast SANFL Clinic – Summit Sports & Recreation Park Mt Barker
Friday April 5
10:00am Fremantle Open Training – Stratarama Stadium (Glenelg Oval)
10:00am Melbourne SANFL Clinic – X Convenience Oval (Elizabeth Oval)
11:00am Sydney Open Training – Prospect Oval
11:30am West Coast Open Training – Summit Sports & Recreation Park Mt Barker
1:00pm Western Bulldogs Open Training – Woodville Oval
2:00pm Carlton Open Training – Stratarama Stadium (Glenelg Oval)
3:30pm Geelong Open Training – Woodville Oval
Saturday April 6
9:00am St Kilda Open Training – Norwood Oval
10:00am GWS SANFL Clinic – Prospect Oval
10:00am St Kilda SANFL Clinic – Norwood Oval
10:30am Essendon SANFL Clinic – Flinders University Stadium (Noarlunga Oval)
10:30am Gold Coast SANFL Clinic – Flinders University Stadium (Noarlunga Oval)
10:30am Hawthorn SANFL Clinic – Colley Reserve Glenelg
12:00pm GWS Open Training – Prospect Oval
Sunday April 7
9:30am Geelong SANFL Clinic – Maughan Thiem Oval (Woodville Oval)
9:30am Western Bulldogs SANFL Clinic – Maughan Thiem Oval (Woodville Oval)
Monday April 8
9:00am Collingwood SANFL Clinic – Hisense Stadium (Richmond Oval)
9:00am Richmond SANFL Clinic – Norwood Oval
4:00pm Port Adelaide SANFL Clinic – Alberton Oval
Quotes
Attributable to Peter Malinauskas
We’re thrilled that tickets to this year’s Gather Round have sold so quickly – only the Collingwood vs Hawks game has tickets left.
And we can’t wait to welcome fans from across the country.
But we’re also pleased that there is plenty of free, family friendly entertainment across the week.
The open training sessions and SANFL clinics are a great way for kids and parents to connect to their favourite AFL or SANFL club.
There’ll be many opportunities to get amongst the event, and enjoy the incredible atmosphere as we celebrate a festival of footy.
