SANFL figures reveal SA footy participation numbers are at record high

SA footy is trending toward a record number of participants this year, with Gather Round set to take the game to new heights across the state.

SA footy is trending toward a state record number of participants in 2024 after a surge in registrations across all levels of the game.

The AFL has set a target of 600,000 participants nationally by the end of 2024, 70,000 of which are set to come from SA.

New SANFL figures show the state should reach that target across Auskick, junior and senior footy, a significant improvement on 63,892 in 2023.

In 2023, SA led the nation per capita in numbers of Auskick participants (5-9 year olds) as well as in the 5-14 participation age bracket in Auskick and at community clubs.

Numbers show last year’s record of 11,867 Auskick participants will be eclipsed, with registrations currently nine per cent up and tracking at over 400 more participants than this point in 2023.

SANFL general manager of football, Matthew Duldig said the numbers were a major positive ahead of AFL Gather Round.

SA junior footballers at a Gather Round clinic at Stratarama Stadium (Glenelg Oval). Picture: David Mariuz

“It’s a great sign as we head into Gather Round where young participants and the footy community can engage in great opportunities,”

Duldig said.

“That 5-12 age group in Auskick and then into footy clubs is seeing a big increase and the 13-17 age group has always been a challenge but surprisingly those numbers are ahead of last year as well.

“Coming out of Covid there have been a lot of challenges so to be able to bounce back to 2019 numbers and be set to even go past that this year is really exciting.”

Duldig said senior footy numbers had stagnated in recent seasons but was confident they could see an uptick in the near future.

He said the SANFL would continue to work with regions in SA which had not seen growth in participation.

Crows young gun Billy Dowling with junior footballers during a Gather Round clinic at Stratarama Stadium. Picture: Dave Mariuz

“Senior footy has been a bit flat the last two years and probably hasn’t bounced back from Covid but our leagues are setting up really well to attract those participants back.”

“Our clubs and volunteers have been terrific, we’ve got so many people who are committed to their clubs, they’re the best in the country.

“We’re investing more than we ever have into game development, coaching and we work really closely with the AFL and other states to ensure we enable growth of our game.”

Duldig also believed the state would see another increase in female participants throughout 2024, with the SANFLW competition continuing to go from strength to strength.

Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson with a young fan during Gather Round. Picture: David Mariuz

“I think our SANFLW competition is extraordinarily strong, the talent gets better every year and we get to pit ourselves against other states.

“We’re travelling to Perth, travelling to Victoria, a lot of younger players are seeing that and picking the game up.”

With SA hosting the AFL’s Gather Round for a second year this weekend, footy fever has been at an all-time high in the state.

Duldig said the event be a significant boost for the sport.

“We have a really big focus on ensuring everyone in South Australia can touch and feel Gather Round.

“It remains to be seen whether we see an increase in kids playing straight after the round but we think we’re going to really reap the rewards of it in the near future.”