At just five seasons in, it doesn’t have the lineage of other football codes played at Newington however our committed AFL players are focused on blazing their own black and white trail to glory, says Kyna W, Year 12 student and Captain of AFL. 

‘There is a certain kind of pressure on our AFL players to perform given there is minimal history of AFL at Newington, and we need to build a legacy at Newington for all those who will follow in our footsteps. Our aim is to recreate the victorious Newington 2023 Grand Final against Riverview to set our names in the record books once more.’ 

‘Across the whole program, I want NC AFL footy to be known for its resilience, relentless effort and hopefully 2025 premiers.’ 

Kyna captains the 1st XVIII and plays between the forward line and in the ruck. Last week, Kyna along with the College’s AFL Opens squad of 77 Year 11 and 12 teammates made a stellar start towards achieving that mission statement.   

With three teams competing in the Open division of the Independent Schools Boys Competition as well as two intermediate and a Junior team, Newington 1st XVIII recorded a great win against Shore, 48–32 on Friday night under lights at Sydney University. It was backed up with a strong 2nd XVIII performance, winning 49–36 against Waverley College. 

Mr Will Anders, Director of AFL, says the fast-moving sport, where players can run up to 10 kilometres on match day across a ground double the size of a rugby or football field, has grown wings at the College since its inception in 2021. 

‘AFL is relatively new at Newington, but it’s really caught on at a grass roots level across the College with significant numbers in the younger year groups. Obviously, it’s been a huge sport in Victoria and South Australia for many years and as the excitement of AFL and the WAFL sweeps across the rest of the country, its gaining momentum with our younger students’, says Mr Anders. 

‘At Newington many of our basketballers are taking it up as their winter sport because of their agility and outstanding jumping ability.’ 

Not yet a GPS sport, Mr Anders says several other GPS schools such as Shore and St Ignatius’ College also play in the CIS competition against teams from Redlands, Trinity Grammer, Barker, Knox and Waverley College. Scots College is also set to field its first AFL teams in the coming years.  

Across Newington Preps there is also a dedicated AFL cohort which plays in the IPSHA competition each weekend. With players drawn from Years 5 and 6, this year Wyvern House Prep is fielding two teams, and Lindfield Prep, one. 

Mr Anders believes AFL’s appeal to all age groups lies in its continuum motion and the skill required to chase, handball, pass, kick goals, and of course, make difficult tackles. 

‘It’s a very free flowing game with continuous running play, high flying marks and dynamic ball movement. Also, the team camaraderie involved in trying to get the ball moved quickly from one end of the field to the other takes a fair bit of communication and teamwork,’ says Mr Anders. 

‘It’s a perfect demonstration to my mind of Newington culture on the sporting field – purposeful, supportive and goal oriented.’ 

An AFL devotee since Year 5, Kyna W, and the 1st XVIII take on Knox this weekend under the committed eye of Head Coach, Mr Tim Wales. 

‘Our players love playing the game and appreciate how fun it is not just to play but to watch too,’ says Kyna.

‘It’s a game for every player whether you are tall or not, or fast or slow because it’s a game that mixes tackling with running and kicking goals with handballs and lots of tactical strategies.’  

Additionally, says Mr Anders, thanks to the AFL team, the Sydney Swans and its QBE Sydney Swans Academy, there are professional pathways available to younger players. Currently, Newington Year 12 student 1st XVIII player, Leon T, also plays with the Swans Academy. Decorated 200 match player and Old Newingtonian Dane Rampe (2008) and Jack Hiscox (ON 2012) were also both signed on to the QBE Swans Sydney Academy before beginning their professional playing careers. 

Meanwhile, preparing for this week’s clash against Knox, Kyna W says his aim this year as Captain of AFL is to help build a strong united culture where every player feels driven to improve and contribute. 

‘I believe the 1sts have the talent and mindset to be genuine contenders to win the 2025 season if we stay disciplined, connected, and committed to our standards,’ Kyna says.  

‘Across the whole program, I want NC AFL footy to be known for its resilience, relentless effort and hopefully 2025 premiers.’ 

Tonight Newington 2nd XVIII play Redlands. On Saturday the 1st XVIII play against Knox, 3rd XVIII St Ignatius and our Intermediate A and B and Junior A teams versus Cranbook.

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