Carlton players will hit the road again next year as part of the 2017 Australia Post AFL Community Camps. 

The Blues will travel to the regional Shires of Hepburn and Mount Alexander, visiting the towns of Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Trentham, Newstead, Ballan and Gordon.

A little closer to home, Carlton will also spend time in the metropolitan centres of Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik and Whittlesea. 

The Blues’ two-day camp will take place between February 9-10 next year, with the players eager to give back to the community and recognise grassroots football. 

The camps will see over 750 AFL players participate in the program across Australia, connecting with fans right across the country – no matter where they live.

AFL General Manager Game and Market Development, Simon Lethlean, said the Australia Post AFL Community Camps are an important vehicle in recognising that grassroots football and the community are the lifeblood of Australia’s Game. 

“The Australia Post AFL Community Camps allow us to highlight the connection Australian Football has with communities right around the country,” Mr Lethlean said.

“Following the success of part of the Fremantle Football Club’s Australia Post AFL Community Camp in Broome, we’re excited the remainder of their squad and the other 17 clubs will visit fans across all corners of Australia in early 2017. 

“Community Camps are the perfect platform for fans, no matter where they live across our wide country, access to their favourite players,” he said. 

During the 2016 Australia Post AFL Community camps, over 147,102 school students had visits from AFL players with 823 schools being visited. 4,913 children participation in AFL super clinics, 2,600 people were visited in aged care/hospitals and funds were raised through official functions to assist local junior community football programs.

The Australia Post AFL Community Camps started in 2003 and have so far have reached a total 1,118,278 students across 5,873 school visits since the program’s inception. 

*Dates and locations are subject to change with updates promoted accordingly.