AFL Central West Senior Representative Dates Locked In

AFL Central West are excited to confirm the representative fixture dates for the 2026 season.

After a successful return to representative football for the competition’s women’s side, winning the Regional Australia Bank Cup in 2025, the Central West will be back to defend their title on the shores of the North Coast.

Saturday July 18 will play host to the North Coast Force, North West Blue Heelers, and Central West Eagles with an opportunity to play under lights on Friday July 17 also available for the teams.

The introduction of AFL Central West to the representative program between the two northern NSW rivals was a huge success in 2025, with a tri-series between the three women’s teams providing highly competitive matches. It is hoped that the Central West can field a men’s side in 2026 to further support the tri-series concept, with the intent for the region to host the event in 2027.

Casey White, Community Football and Competition Manager for AFL Central West was pleased to see early confirmation of the program as players and clubs currently enjoy a well-earned off-season.

“Representative Football is so important for senior players. With our competition only having the four (men’s) or five (women’s) teams, variety in opposition isn’t there. Having the opportunity to showcase the talent of the region whilst getting to play a group of different players is fantastic.”

“The women’s team represented the Central West brilliantly last year, and we are pleased that Northern NSW have extended the invite to our men’s program next season should we have the ability to field a side.”

Whilst exciting that representative football will return for the seniors in 2026, the league is fully aware that geographically, a trip to Coffs Harbour asks a lot of the volunteers and playing group.

“We know our people do a lot of travel week in, week out, and acknowledge that getting to the North Coast is a huge commitment for a weekend of footy, but with the opportunity to host in 2027 available, we hope both programs show a commitment to this concept now, to then play in front of their home fans the following year.”

AFL Central West are currently advertising sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 season, including senior naming rights partnerships, and representative team apparel partnerships. For more information, contact casey.white@afl.com.au.

Applications for vacant coaching roles will be released in mid-December, with trials and squad training sessions to be confirmed in the new year.

Junior representative football is still being finalised, and more information will be communicated once confirmed.