AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) is excited to announce the Big Rivers Football League’s (BRFL) 2021 fixture ahead of the Season Opener on 24 April.
The League has seen growing numbers over the past year and the 2021 season will see the addition of four clubs enter the competition across multiple grades.
AFLNT Regional Development Manager for Katherine, Gavin May says despite last year’s COVID-19 lockdown affecting participation in some leagues, the BRFL has grown in leaps and bounds.
“The BRFL has bucked the trend and we have seen our participation numbers grow, our teams and clubs increase, and we have seen our youth and junior participation levels return.”
The Senior Men’s competition has seen a club registration increase from eight in 2020 to 12 this season. This has enabled the competition to split into two divisions, Katherine River and Roper River, named after the major rivers in the Big Rivers Region.
Due to a growing appetite for youth footy and the addition of the Roper Gulf Regional Council partnership allowing the use of Mataranka Oval, the Youth Men’s and Women’s Under 16 competition has initiated with four clubs already signed up.
There will also be a mixed Under 12 competition with two mini seasons played during school terms two and four.
“This league growth is a testament to all our clubs, volunteers and umpires that our competition has been able to grow in the current environment,” May said.
“As the league grows, so does the need for more umpires to cover additional fixtured games. We have a couple of ‘come and try’ night’s scheduled in Mataranka on 31 March and in Katherine on the 1 and 9 April for anyone who is interested.”
These ‘come and try’ nights will comprise of BRFL Umpire Coaches teaching the rules and regulations of all three disciplines of Umpiring – Field, Boundary and Goals.
View the 2021 BRFL Men's fixture here (PDF)
View the 2021 BRFL Women’s fixture here (PDF)
Key BRFL 2021 Season Events:
- 24 April: BRFL Season Opener and ANZAC RAAF Base Tindal observance
2pm Women’s Katherine Camels vs Katherine South
4pm Women’s Eastside vs Tindal
ANZAC Ceremony including fighter jet flyover
6pm Men’s Tindal vs Eastside
- 1 May: Mataranka Oval Launch
12.30pm Women’s Katherine South vs Eastside
2pm Men’s Katherine South vs Ngukurr
- 2020 Grand Final Replays: Men’s Katherine South vs Katherine Camels
Round 4 and 11
- 2020 Grand Final Replays: Women’s Arnhem Crows vs Katherine South
Round 3, 8 and 13
- Ngukurr Women Exhibition Games
Round 12, 13 and 14
Entry to 2021 BRFL are as follows:
$7 for adults
$2 for children aged 15 years and under
Free for children aged 3 years and under