Adelaide is heading to the flood-affected Riverland next week for its 2023 AFL Community Camp which returns to the traditional format this year for the first time since pre-Covid.

The region will host Crows AFL players on February 6 and 7 for a range of activities with the local community.

For the past two years, all AFL clubs have conducted community camps virtually because of the pandemic. This year, the Crows are back visiting communities, meeting fans and inspiring the next generation in person.

To kick off the camp on Monday, February 6, Club representatives including CEO Tim Silvers and AFL players will enjoy dinner with the Riverland supporters group.

On Tuesday morning (February 7), players will split into groups and visit approximately 4,800 children at 16 schools across Loxton, Renmark, Berri, Bamera and Waikerie.

This will be followed by a superclinic at Berri Oval on Tuesday afternoon, where fans have the opportunity to have a kick and a catch with players, as well as get photos and autographs.  

Crows CEO Tim Silvers said the Community Camp was one of a number of initiatives planned for the year and Club was excited to be able to re-commence its on-ground activities with communities across South Australia.

“It’s certainly been difficult to have a presence in local communities as much as we would like across the past couple of years but, as we put the challenges of the pandemic behind us, we are excited to be able to ramp up our connections with the regions again,” Silvers said.

“The Riverland and all regional and rural communities across South Australia are so important to our Club, and we know how much football means in these areas, so the AFL Community Camps program is a fantastic platform for our players to give back and make a positive impact.

“The Riverland has had an incredibly tough couple of months. It’s a region that’s so passionate about footy, so we hope next week’s visit will provide some enjoyment and brief respite from the challenges the community has been facing.”

The Crows visited the Riverland for their Community Camp in 2020 and before that in 2012. This is the 21^st year of the AFL Community Camps program and the Club has previously visited Port Augusta, Murray Bridge, Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa Valley, Yorke Peninsula, Port Augusta, Mt Gambier, Naracoorte, Port Lincoln and Clare.