The Sydney University Australian National Football Club is proud to confirm that the club has been awarded a licence to compete in the newly established Sydney Football League from 2027. This represents an important step forward for the club and its football program, with Sydney University joining eight other clubs in New South Wales’ new premier football competition.

From 2027, Sydney University will field four teams across Senior Men’s, Senior Women’s, Under 19.5 Men’s and Under 20 Women’s, providing our players with the opportunity to compete at the highest level of club football in New South Wales. For Sydney University, joining the SFL is an opportunity to continue building a football program which provides a strong, competitive and rewarding experience for players across the club. The club wants its players to have the opportunity to challenge themselves against strong opposition and develop within a high-quality football environment.

Sydney University’s entry into the SFL builds on the work undertaken across the club’s Men’s, Women’s and Pathways programs. The club sees the new competition as an opportunity to continue improving the standard of football available to Sydney University players while strengthening the connection between our senior and emerging programs. 

The SFL will operate as the premier competition in New South Wales, sitting above the existing AFL Sydney community competitions. The two competitions will operate alongside each other, with AFL Sydney continuing to provide divisional football across senior, underage and Masters competitions.  This structure is particularly important to Sydney University. While four teams will compete in the SFL, the club’s broader football program will continue within AFL Sydney. This allows Sydney University to provide both a premier football pathway and accessible competitive opportunities across the wider club.

The inaugural SFL season will commence in April 2027. All four grades will play an 18-round home and away season before a Top Five finals series played across four weekends. The competition will also feature a Match of the Round across both Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s broadcast live on Kayo.

The SFL has been established with the objective of developing, retaining and attracting talented players, coaches and officials in Sydney and New South Wales. The competition is intended to provide a strong platform for players aged 18 and above and complement existing talent pathways towards higher levels of football. Sydney University shares this ambition. Our focus will be on creating an environment where players want to play, coaches want to coach, and people across the club have the opportunity to improve. The move into the SFL gives our football program a higher competitive benchmark while retaining the breadth of opportunities which has long been central to the club.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sydney Football League?

The Sydney Football League will become New South Wales’ premier Australian Rules Football competition from 2027. The competition has been established following a review of football in Greater Sydney which identified a need to elevate playing standards and provide a clearer premier pathway for players, coaches and officials.

When does the SFL begin?

The inaugural season will commence in April 2027. How will the season work? Senior Mens, Senior Womens, Under 19.5 Mens and Under 20 Womens will each play an 18-round home and away season. The Top Five teams in each competition will then progress to a four-week finals series.

Does the SFL replace AFL Sydney?

No. AFL Sydney will continue as a community-based competition providing divisional Men’s and Women’s football, underage competitions and Masters football. The SFL will operate above AFL Sydney as the premier level of club football in New South Wales. The competitions will remain separate and there will be no promotion or relegation between them.

What happens to Sydney University’s other teams?

Sydney University’s additional teams will continue competing in AFL Sydney in the appropriate divisions. The introduction of the SFL therefore does not mean Sydney University becomes a four-team club. Our broader football program will continue alongside our four SFL teams.

Why was the SFL established?

The competition review identified a need to elevate the standard of football in Greater Sydney and create a clearer and more accessible premier pathway. The SFL aims to attract, develop and retain talented players, coaches and officials while providing a strong competition for players aged 18 and above.

How were the clubs selected?

AFL Sydney Premier Division clubs were invited to tender for an SFL licence. Clubs were assessed against standards covering governance, high-performance programs, football operations, coaching and officiating, administration and staffing, facilities, financial sustainability, and club environment and culture. Geographic representation across Greater Sydney was also considered when determining the inaugural licences.

Which clubs will compete?

The inaugural nine clubs are:

• South West Sydney Blues
• St. George Dragons
• Sydney University
• UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs
• UTS Australian Football Club Bats
• North Shore Bombers
• Manly Warringah Wolves
• Pennant Hills Demons
• East Coast Eagles

Will the SFL expand?

Future expansion will be considered where competition standards, pathway objectives and sustainability requirements are met. 

What does this mean for facilities?

The AFL has acknowledged the challenges presented by the existing facility network across Greater Sydney. More than $8.5 million has been invested by the AFL over the past three years into facilities which will support the SFL, with another $32 million committed by council and government partners. AFL NSW/ACT will work with individual SFL clubs on venue upgrade plans to support the requirements of the competition.

Looking Towards 2027 at Sydney University

There is significant work ahead before the first SFL season begins, and the club will now turn its attention towards preparing our football programs for the new competition. Our objective remains clear: to provide a high-quality football experience for everyone who represents Sydney University. The SFL gives the club the opportunity to compete against the strongest club programs in Sydney while maintaining the broader structure which provides football opportunities across the club. We are excited for Sydney University to be an inaugural member of the Sydney Football League and look forward to the first season in 2027.