WFNL CLUBS TAKE A SEAT FOR SIT DOWN ROUND INITIATIVE ON MAY 16-17
The Western Football Netball League is pleased to announce that it is joining nine metropolitan football leagues and 10 country football regions for AFL Victoria’s inaugural Sit Down Round, across the weekend of May 16-17, 2026.
Sit Down Round was first implemented into juniors’ football in South Australia in 2024 to improve match day environments for all players, coaches, volunteers, and families in response to significantly poor game day ratings from umpires in 2023.
During Sit Down Round, all club coaches, bench staff, and volunteers are encouraged to watch from the interchange gates while remaining seated for the duration of play.
AFL Victoria also emphasises the importance of improving match day environments through positive and uplifting behaviours from the boundary line.
Speaking on this week’s WFNL Show, the WFNL’s Club Development Lead Andrew Shenker highlighted the importance of adapting this South Australian concept to leagues in Victoria.
“AFL Victoria saw it as an opportunity to implement across all of our leagues,” he said.
“But the reality around it also is the premises that we’re looking for best behaviours.
“Yeah, it’s obviously targeted at juniors moreover, but there’s no reason that our senior clubs can’t commit to the round that we’re trying to sit here.”
With football a sport full of passion, Shenker reminds everyone that it’s okay to remain passionate, but it’s not okay to let that passion turn into something worse.
“We can’t take passion out of the game. You got 36 players at any one time running around and chasing a little piece of leather. So, there’s always going to be passion and emotion.
“We’re not taking that out of the game. What we want to take out of the game is the untoward behaviours, the abuse, the swearing, things like that.”
The Western Football Netball League looks forward to this weekend’s Sit Down Round and hopes for all clubs to participate with their best endeavours.
Clubs can register their participation in Sit Down Round HERE
Once registered clubs will receive promotional material for the day to advise all present on the day of your club’s commitment to the concept.