The AFL School Teacher of the Year award recognises the outstanding work of volunteers within schools in the promotion of Australian Rules Football.

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations and select state and territory winners;

• Must be a registered Primary or Secondary AFL School Member or School Teacher.
   
• Actively promotes Australian Rules Football both on and off field within the school community.
   
• Uses creative initiatives to encourage diverse participation - Playing, Umpiring, Community Club Engagement. 
   
• Promotes AFL values of inclusion, game progression and teamwork.

The Community Club Coach award recognises the outstanding work of a coach who works within a community football environment.

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations;

• Must be an accredited member of CoachAFL in good standing.
• Must have a current coaching role in either a Head Coach, Assistant Coach or Coaching Coordinator capacity.
• Displays and fosters respect of umpires, opponents, coaches, administrators, officials, parents and spectators and be a role model for the community.
• Demonstrates sound understanding of modern coaching principles and is engaged in ongoing learning and development.

The Community Umpiring Service Award recognises the outstanding work of an Umpire or Umpire Coach/Mentor within the grassroots environment of community football in their region.

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations; 

• must have given notable Umpiring service with an Umpire Club, League or Region (or any combination thereof) within Community Football. 

• is an ambassador for Umpiring at the Community Football level, who acts and works in the best interest of the game in general without ever bringing the game in to disrepute. 

• provides a positive impact on Umpiring at their local level which may include Umpire membership, financial viability, new programs implemented, increasing diversity and inclusion etc 

• is a proactive and positive contributor to both the Umpiring and Football Community and is aligned with the AFL's values and Umpiring strategies. 

The Community Club of the Year award recognises the outstanding work by community football clubs to provide a fun, safe and inclusive environment for people to participate in community football. 

The folowing criteria will be used to assess nominations;

• Promotes inclusion of players from diverse backgrounds including gender, ability, culture, etc.
• Promotes high behavioural standards from and towards officials, players and spectators.
• Demonstrated support of volunteers through recruitment, retention, reqard and recognition practices. 
• Continued retention of players.
• Meets or exceeds state and league accreditation, education and compliance requirements, e.g. Champion Club, Coach Accreditations.
• Demonstrated solutions to positively impact club sustainability, e.g. governance, financial.
• Demonstrated commnunity engagement through adding exceptional value to the wider community.
• Displays creativity and innovation through the club that benefits the game. 

The Disability Inclusion Ambassador award recognises the outstanding work of a volunteer in promoting the inclusion of people with Disability in football.

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations; 

• Shows leadership and innovation with the purpose of engaging more people with disability into the game.

• Mentoring of new volunteers, players and/or club members. 

• Promotes a healthy club/league/program culture that provides an inclusive environment. 

• Drives social change by being an advocate for people with disability. 

The Diversity Ambassador award recognises the outstanding work of a volunteer who promotes inclusion for Indigenous and/or Multicultural Communities in football. The volunteer may identify as being from an Indigenous or Multicultural background, however, this is not a requirement of the award.

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations;

• Support pathways for Indigenous and/or Multicultural participants to play, coach or umpire in football.
   
• Promotes AFL to Indigenous and/or Multicultural Communities.
   
• Demonstrates and promotes best practices to work with Indigenous and/or Multicultural groups.
   
• promotes a healthy Club/League culture which provides a fair, safe and inclusive environment for all.

The NAB AFL Auskick Volunteer award recognises the outstanding work of volunteers within the Auskick community.  Nominations can include coordinators, coaches and parent volunteers that assist with the running of the program. 

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations; 

• Promotes Auskick values of fun, inclusion and enthusiasm. 

• Volunteers on a consistent basis and shows excellent initiative in helping deliver awesome experiences for participants. 

• Actively promotes other parents and carers to become involved in the Auskick community. 

• Effectively communicates with relevant stakeholders including participants, other volunteers, community figures, AFL staff. 

The WA Football Volunteer of the Year award recognises the outstanding work of a volunteer within the grassroots environment of local football in their local community.

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations; 

• Must have given notable voluntary service with a community club, league or region (or any combination thereof) within community football. 

• Must be a willing, voluntary contributor, having received no income from football (NB honoraria accepted). 

• Is an ambassador for the game at community football level, who acts and works for the best interest of the game in general without ever bringing the game in to disrepute. 

• Years of service will be looked upon favourably. 

• Volunteers who have won this category in the last five years are ineligible. 

The Young Volunteer of the Year award recognises an individual aged 15 - 25 years who has made an outstanding voluntary contribution to community football and who through their volunteering has positively impacted the lives of others.

The following criteria will be used to assess nominations; 

• Must have given notable service to their community club, team, league or region in a voluntary capacity.
   
• Must be a willing, voluntary contributor, having received no income for service (NB honoraria accepted). 
   
• Initiates and/or participates in projects and activities within their community.