Girls boost bumper participation rates in junior football competitions

FOOTBALL-loving kids are set to push participation rates to record levels as junior Victorian competition returns in earnest, with the popularity of AFLW a driving force in boosting numbers.

FOOTBALL-loving kids are set to push participation rates to record levels as junior ­Victorian competition returns in earnest this weekend.

At least 10 junior footy ­leagues across the state will kickstart their seasons, reigniting children’s AFL dreams and pushing sports ground space to the limit.

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New AFL Victoria figures show there are likely to be ­record numbers of kids playing junior footy in Victoria this year. And a spike in female participation, fanned by the popularity of AFLW, has ­administrators struggling to keep up with demand for ­spaces in junior teams.

Yarra Junior Football League has seen its female base grow from 12 teams, when it pioneered an under-18 squad in 2011, to 112 teams across under-10 to under-18 age categories this season.

Macleod Football Club is starting girls’ teams for the first time this year. Picture:AAP Image/James Ross

General manager Peter Nicholls said an unprecedented 500 teams would take part in the competition this year, putting more than 11,000 juniors players on the park. And while boys numbers were steady, girl power was driving growth to such an ­extent that oval space was at a premium and the league could have to consider playing matches under lights, on ­different days and times.

“We’ve got enough at the moment but if the growth ­continues like this we’re going to reach breaking point at some stage in the next few years,’’ Mr Nicholls said. “And we’ll have to think about how we play games, when we play games and how we make the best use of what we’ve got.’’

Richmond Junior Football Club is a textbook example of how footy is thriving.

Four years ago the inner-city club had no more eight teams in total, dominated with boys with only three girls on its books. This year it will field 23 teams including three girls squads and three under-eights mixed teams.

Richmond Junior Football Club players, from left, Lenny, Cade and Liam go through their paces. Picture: Andrew Tauber

“The growth through boys and girls has been through the roof and we’re going to keep growing,’’ RJFC secretary Lachlan Mosley said.

South Metro Juniors will also launch its season with more players than ever including 107 girls teams, compared to 78 last year.

AFL Victoria confirmed most community football numbers were tracking ahead of this time last year, with strong participation rates across the state.

‘UGLY’ PARENTS WARNED TO SILENCE JEER SQUADS

The return of junior footy also spells the start of a long winter on the sidelines by proud parents cheering on their troops.

But leagues and the game’s governing body have warned mums and dads to avoid “ugly parent syndrome’’, which can spoil the fun for others when overzealous adults take junior sport too seriously.

AFL Victoria community football and development manager Stephen O’Donohue urged parents to place an ­emphasis on fun.

“Spectators are reminded that they have a responsibility to create a positive environment for lifelong participation and enjoyment of our great game,’’ he said.

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