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Byron Shire
June 23, 2026

Local teams head north under new set-up for women’s AFL 

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The Lismore Swans

Local women’s AFL will have a shake-up this year as the Lismore Swans join the Northern Rivers league while Byron Bay and Ballina are set to join division two of the Queensland Football Association Women’s (QFAW) competition. 

Last year these teams, along with Tweed Coast, played in their own four-team competition under Queensland AFL. 

For Byron Bay, Ballina and Tweed Coast the 16-round home and away season gets underway on ANZAC weekend and will be followed by a top six final series. 

The QFAW will see the addition of seven new teams altogether with the Northern Rivers teams joining the QFAW south division. 

‘With the continued growth of female football across all levels, it’s fantastic that we are now able to expand division two across the region,’ QFAW competition manager, Joanna Main said. 

Local teams will take on competitors from Broadbeach, Burleigh, Labrador, Beenleigh, Jimboomba, Robina and Surfers Paradise. 

For their first outing Ballina travel to Burleigh, while Byron Bay hosted the Tweed Coast. 

The Lismore Swans have joined AFLNSW for season 2021. The move comes after spending 10 years in the regional AFLQLD competition with the Swans deciding to look south for their weekly football. 

The Swans will take on teams from Grafton, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, among others. 



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