Hawkesbury Jets AFL Club

Community Football in the Hawkesbury

The Hawkesbury Jets Australian Football Club provides opportunities for men and women to play Australian Rules Football in Sydney’s northwest. Based at Bensons Lane in Richmond, the Jets compete in AFL Sydney’s divisional competitions, offering a local football environment for experienced players, newcomers and those returning to the game. The club welcomes players of all skill levels.

Previously known as the Nor-West Jets, the club has maintained a strong connection to the Hawkesbury community through changing competition structures, the growth of women’s football and the challenges of recovering from significant flooding at its home ground.

Football at the Jets

Men’s Football

Hawkesbury’s men’s program provides competitive senior football within AFL Sydney. In 2026, its Men’s Division Four team enjoyed a successful season, finishing on top of the home-and-away ladder before progressing to the Grand Final. AFL Sydney’s season coverage recognised the team’s consistency, experienced coaching and contributions from players across the ground.

The Jets’ approach combines football development with an emphasis on preparation, teamwork and commitment. In a local interview, coach Peter Kyle highlighted the importance of players supporting one another, improving their fundamentals and competing strongly while playing fairly.

Women’s Football

The Jets also provide a senior women’s football program, competing in AFL Sydney Women’s Division Three in 2026. The club’s recruitment information welcomes different levels of playing experience and provides a dedicated women’s information pack for prospective players. The program received significant recognition in 2026, when Casey Tinker won the competition’s Women’s Division Three Best & Fairest award. Her achievement was celebrated at the AFL Sydney Phelan and Mostyn Medal awards night.

Home Ground: Bensons Lane

The Jets’ home is Bensons Lane Reserve, Richmond, providing the base for training, home matches and club activities. The venue has also been shared with the Hawkesbury Saints Junior Australian Football Club, connecting senior and junior football within the same local sporting community. Players and visitors should check the Jets’ official communication channels for current training arrangements, fixtures and ground updates. The club’s online information hub provides access to registration, social media and player information.

Club History and Community Resilience

The Nor-West Jets Years

Before adopting the Hawkesbury Jets identity, the club competed as the Nor-West Jets, representing the area in Sydney’s divisional football competitions. Its longstanding presence at Bensons Lane has connected generations of players, volunteers and supporters with Australian Rules Football in the Hawkesbury.

Recovering from the Floods

The club’s recent history includes significant challenges away from the field. During the March 2021 floods, the clubhouse shared by the Nor-West Jets and Hawkesbury Saints was almost completely submerged, while the playing surface and electronic scoreboard were also inundated. The AFL subsequently announced financial assistance to help both clubs recover. Further disruption followed during the pandemic and subsequent flooding. A May 2023 Hawkesbury Independent report documented the Jets’ return to Bensons Lane after using a university oval during the previous season. The report acknowledged the support of the wider community and the club’s efforts to rebuild its football environment and team spirit.

A Strong Men’s Campaign in 2026

Hawkesbury claimed the 2026 Men’s Division Four minor premiership, winning 12 home-and-away matches and finishing first on the ladder. Coached by Peter Kyle, the team’s campaign earned recognition from AFL Sydney for its consistency and ability to respond to challenges throughout the season. The Jets progressed to the Grand Final against UTS Bats at Blacktown International Sports Park on Sunday 20 September 2026. This followed another Men’s Division Four Grand Final appearance against St George in 2024, marking two recent opportunities to compete for the premiership.

AFL Sydney and the Sydney Football League

Hawkesbury competes within AFL Sydney’s community football structure and is not one of the nine foundation clubs awarded licences for the new Sydney Football League, which begins in April 2027. The Jets’ divisional football involvement should therefore be distinguished from participation in the new premier competition. AFL Sydney will continue alongside the SFL, providing men’s and women’s divisional football, underage competitions and Masters football. This preserves opportunities for clubs and players with different experience levels, commitments and football ambitions.

Find Out More

Visit the Hawkesbury Jets AFL information hub for registration links, official social media channels and information about joining the club.