Today, AFLNT (AFL Northern Territory) released its 2022 participation data with the NT tipping over the 39,000-participant mark, a 2% growth since 2021. This number also reflects the NT continuing to have the highest rate per capita for football participation in the country.
The process, which is consistent across the country, pulls all participation data together to give an indication of the health of the game across its different segments. The data combines registered participants of Auskick, Community Football Club registrations, Sporting School Programs, AFLNT programs, and community activations.
The highlight of the 2022 results was the substantial growth in Women's and Girls' football. Boasting an exponential growth of 48%, the NT holds the highest participation rate for junior and youth girls across the country. This growth is highlighted by the addition of 41 new teams and 291 new participants in the NTFL alone. The growth comes off the back of the success of the AFLW competition nationally and is starting to see new dedicated programs and competitions across the NT.
Community football across the Territory now has over 12,800 participants, 968 more than in 2021. The highly regarded TIO NTFL competition has grown by 748 participants since 2019, despite various COVID-19 impacts. 5,728 of these competition participants play in AFLNT’s competitions in remote communities.
Community football increases have been in junior participation, with 35% growth across both male and female participants in the junior and youth space.
2022 also saw the significant expansion of regional competitions, with the introduction of a female competition in the Barkly Football League. There was also further growth of the Big Rivers Football League Senior Women’s competition, along with the continued growth of female football in remote leagues.
Auskick remains the number one entry pathway into Australian Football, and centers have been expanded into remote Aboriginal communities breaking down barriers for engagement. There are now more than 3,000 Auskick participants across the Territory.
Australian Football also remains a fundamental part of the NT school curriculum and engagement strategy, with more than 14,600 youngsters participating in school-based AFL clinics, carnivals, festivals, and education programs in 2022. Central Australian programs, clinics, and AFL education programs have grown 41% in student engagement.
Tiwi Islands and West Arnhem have had significant growth in youth engagement and programs with 3,184 junior and youth participants engaging in AFLNT programs. The Big Rivers region and Central Australia have also seen high engagement in school-based and community junior and youth programs. Across the Territory, AFL NT uses football-based programs to drive youth engagement, promote healthy lifestyles and overall community well-being.
Head of AFLNT Sam Gibson shares, "It's exciting to see our great game growing here in the Northern Territory. It continues to show how important football is and the impact it can have on the lives of Territorians. The results released today are the results of the great work of clubs, volunteers, coaches, and the various other stakeholders who drive our game forward. Moving forward we’ve got a big challenge ahead of us to ensure this growth is sustainable by working closely with key stakeholders around facilities, volunteering, club sustainability, growth in umpiring, and strong player pathways.”
For a full breakdown of the participation data, see this infographic here
