The popularity of AFL in New South Wales continues to grow at a rapid rate with strong participation numbers today revealed by AFL NSW/ACT.
Club participation grew 8.2% in 2017 off the back of a phenomenal 78% increase in the number of female participants playing in registered Club football competitions across the state and territory.
Overall participation in AFL competitions and programs across the region grew 7.3% in 2017 to over 250,000 participants making the AFL community in NSW and the ACT.
This makes up Australia’s third largest participation base in the country behind Victoria and Western Australia.
AFL NSW/ACT continues to see rapid growth in the AFL 9s product with a 30% increase in participation in AFL’s official modified, non-contact version of AFL.
The fun, fast, free-flowing football is played with nine players per side on a smaller ground.
AFL Auskick growth remains steady with over 66,000 Auskickers taking the field this year representing a 9.3% increase on 2016 with key markets such as Greater Western Sydney seeing double digit growth in the AFL’s marquee kids participatory offering.
Overall participation in AFL competitions and programs nationwide grew to an impressive 1.55M participants across the country in 2017.
Key AFL NSW/ACT participation statistics for 2017:
- 8.2% growth in Club football in NSW/ACT – the highest growth rate in the country
- 78% growth in Female Club football participation
- 30.4% growth in AFL 9’s participation
- 7.3% overall participation growth to 254,812 participants (vs. 237,549 in 2016)
- 9.3% growth in NAB AFL Auskick
