Gather Round: Extended trading hours and how kids can get their kicks at free SANFL clinics

Gather Round and SANFL have announced a host of free, fun family-friendly activities along with extended trading hours for the bigger kids.

Trading hours will be extended during Gather Round to cater to tens of thousands of interstate visitors coming here for the four-day football festival which kicks off on Friday, April 4.

Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher has announced shops in Adelaide’s CBD will be open on Saturday, April 6 until 7pm.

On Sunday, April 7, shops on The Parade at Norwood will also be able to trade until 7pm.

Both precincts normally trade until 5pm on weekends.

Mr Maher said the extended trading would give visitors “an ability to sample the best of what South Australia’s got for a few more hours each day”.

He said last year’s Gather Round brought 40,000 visitors to the state and that the numbers were only expected to grow.

While spending by visitors and locals is expected to increase, thanks to the extended trading hours, some of the best footy things in life will be free during the festival.

For starters, fans will be able to hang out with their favourite AFL players in the ‘burbs.

That’s because SANFL grounds will be hosting open training sessions and SANFL clinics.

Admission to watch the training sessions is at no charge, while families can also register children aged five to 12 can also take part in the clinics for free.

They will take place at suburban grounds from Glenelg to Mount Barker, and Elizabeth to Noarlunga and are just some of the free, unticketed family entertainment on the Gather Round program.

Local Auskickers kids Alenza, Ollie, Laila and Eli had fun at the 2023 Gather Round footy festival. Picture: Emma Brasier

It also includes Gather in the Hills at Hahndorf on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, and the return of the Norwood Food & Wine Festival on Sunday, April 7 – entry to both spin-off festivals is free.

AFL clubs will also be hosting player appearances and activities at the free Footy Festival site at Elder Park.

“We’re thrilled that tickets to this year’s Gather Round have sold so quickly – only the

Collingwood vs Hawks game has tickets left,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said, adding the state “can’t wait to welcome fans from across the country.”

He added: “But we’re also pleased that there is plenty of free, family friendly entertainment

across the week. The open training sessions and SANFL clinics are a great way for kids and parents to connect to their favourite AFL or SANFL club.”

Port Adelaide’s Todd Marshall and Crow Reilly O’Brien, with footy fans Milana, Khloe, Jack, Max, Noah, Bodhi. Picture: Dean Martin

Here’s a list of the open training and clinics.

Wednesday, April 3

9.30am Melbourne Open Training – Hisense Stadium (Richmond Oval)

4pm Adelaide SANFL Clinic – Stratarama Stadium (Glenelg Oval)

5pm Adelaide Open Training – Stratarama Stadium (Glenelg Oval)

Thursday, April 4

10am Brisbane Open Training – Norwood Oval

10am Port Adelaide Open Training – Alberton Oval

12.30pm North Melbourne Open Training – Norwood Oval

3pm Carlton SANFL Clinic – Maughan Thiem Kia Oval (Woodville Oval)

3.30pm Sydney SANFL Clinic – Pop up Park Mt Barker

5.30pm West Coast SANFL Clinic – Summit Sports & Recreation Park Mt Barker

Friday, April 5

10am Fremantle Open Training – Stratarama Stadium (Glenelg Oval)

10am Melbourne SANFL Clinic – X Convenience Oval (Elizabeth Oval)

11am Sydney Open Training – Prospect Oval

11.30am West Coast Open Training – Summit Sports & Recreation Park Mt Barker

1pm Western Bulldogs Open Training – Woodville Oval

2pm Carlton Open Training – Stratarama Stadium (Glenelg Oval)

3.30pm Geelong Open Training – Woodville Oval

Saturday, April 6

9am St Kilda Open Training – Norwood Oval

10am GWS SANFL Clinic – Prospect Oval

10am St Kilda SANFL Clinic – Norwood Oval

10.30am Essendon SANFL Clinic – Flinders University Stadium (Noarlunga Oval)

10:30am Gold Coast SANFL Clinic – Flinders University Stadium (Noarlunga Oval)

10.30am Hawthorn SANFL Clinic – Colley Reserve Glenelg

12pm GWS Open Training – Prospect Oval

Sunday, April 7

9.30am Geelong SANFL Clinic – Maughan Thiem Oval (Woodville Oval)

9.30am Western Bulldogs SANFL Clinic – Maughan Thiem Oval (Woodville Oval)

Monday, April 8

9am Collingwood SANFL Clinic – Hisense Stadium (Richmond Oval)

9am Richmond SANFL Clinic – Norwood Oval

4pm Port Adelaide SANFL Clinic – Alberton Oval

* For more information and to register for the SANFL clinics visit afl.com.au/gather-round.

Originally published as Gather Round: Extended trading hours and how kids can get their kicks at free SANFL clinics