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Victoria’s long-running competition showcasing some of the best school Australian rules teams and players in the state is set to return, with AFL Victoria planning to hold the 44th edition of the Herald Sun Shield in 2021 if it’s safe to do so and government restrictions allow.

While the challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic and extended restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne are causing ongoing uncertainty and pushed back the original July start date, AFL Victoria is working through a revised schedule for the 10-division competition once there is clarity on restrictions beyond the current lockdown period.

AFL Victoria has consulted with school sport representatives and there is strong support for trying to find a way to provide participants with the opportunity to experience the competition, which started in 1977. The Herald Sun Shield didn’t take place in 2020 because of COVID restrictions.

The window for the revised competition is across late Term 3 and early Term 4 of the school year.

AFL Victoria will continue to work closely with the Victorian Government and will be guided by advice from the government and health authorities, with the health and safety of the community the top priority.

Head of AFL Victoria, Brad Scott, stated “AFL Victoria is committed to exploring all options for conducting the Herald Sun Shield in 2021, and there is strong enthusiasm from schools to participate if we are able to make it happen.

“It is a competition with a rich history and over the years has provided a platform to showcase so many strong school football programs and players. It also provides boys and girls with a wonderful football experience, with so much football having been missed in the past 18 months.

“Having not been able to hold the competition in 2020, we are hoping to be able to conduct the Herald Sun Shield in 2021 while understanding there are COVID-related factors out of our control. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, work with government and stakeholders, and provide an update when we can.

“I would like to thank the schools for their understanding and willingness to work with us to find a way to hold the competition if it’s safe to do so.”

The Herald Sun Shield involves school teams representing school associations and competing across 10 divisions:

• Intermediate Girls - Two Divisions
• Senior Girls - Two Divisions
• Intermediate Boys - Two Divisions
• Senior Boys - Two Divisions
• Special School Girls Division
• Special School Boys Division

Long-standing partner News Corporation Australia will continue to support the competition and is working with AFL Victoria on providing exclusive live streaming coverage of the competition via Melbourne newspaper the Herald Sun. 

Image: 2019 Herald Sun Shield participants.

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