In 2024, Sunshine Beach State High School were successfully accepted as an AFL School of Excellence. The program officially began in 2025.
As an AFL School of Excellence, SBSHS aims to foster teamwork, sportsmanship and inclusivity, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background or skill level, can participate and benefit. Selection is based on the person not the player, considering students' academic learning, making it a holistic approach to education and sport.
Year 7-12 will run as a HPE class with a focus on AFL. This will include a theory component, training and games. For 2026 we will have Years 11 and 12, AFL Excellence will run during Study Skills sessions and become a subject in 2027. Students will travel to different venues every few weeks depending on the competition demands. Transport to and from the playing venues will be organised by our school. Training occurs on the Sunshine Beach SHS AFL oval during allocated class times.
Games run from January to July with finals throughout Term 3 and 4. Trials, applications and selection with our Level 2 AFL Accredited coaches will be in Term 3 for the following year.
Our school has six teams:
Junior Boys, Junior Girls (Year 7 and 8)
Youth Boys, Youth Girls (Year 9 and 10)
Senior Boys, Senior Girls (Year 11 and 12)
To gain entry to the SBSHS AFL Excellence program a student will need to:
- Provide a completed AFL Excellence Application form (also available from the Administration Office)
- Participate in program selection trials (date to be set once applications are received)
- Gain the approval of the Head of Department and the AFL Excellence Lead Teacher
- Code of Conduct signed by parents and students
As an AFL excellence student, all the conditions and monitoring as per the School's Behaviour Management Program will apply. Our program stives for excellence though high expectations with our trademark below