WA Football achieves record-breaking participation resultsTuesday, May 25, 2021 - 3:48 PM

Football in Western Australia continues to thrive with the WAFC announcing another record-breaking number of total club-based participants across all levels of Australian rules football in 2021. 

Nearly 67,000 male and female players have registered for the current season, up on the previous record of 66,699 in 2019. More registrations are expected over the coming weeks, continuing the trend as a leading participation sport in WA.

The driving force behind the spike of participants is the sustained growth of female football, seeing a 42% uplift on 2019 figures. The female game continues to grow off the back of a clear talent pathway for all aspiring athletes, with the WAFLW and AFLW showcasing the best talent around the country, along with strong junior and senior community competitions.

A strong male youth market (13-17 yrs) has spiked with an additional 766 participants signing up compared to the 2019 season. Senior Male participation is also contributing, seeing a 2.94% increase on previous numbers. 

Auskick is sitting at 15,571 participants and is set to surpass 2019 figures in the coming weeks. Combining both Auskick and Community Club gives a total of 82,480 participants, an extraordinary achievement coming off the impacts of COVID-19.

Importantly, our WA umpiring numbers have never been higher. For the first time in history, Western Australia has passed 2,000 registered umpires, improving retention rates by 40% in the past two seasons. 

A better game day environment and healthier umpiring club environment has allowed for this area of football to flourish in the past 24 months. 

Claremont Junior Football Club has been ranked number one in Australia for players that both play and umpire at their junior club with over 50 junior players also engaged in umpiring. 

Executive Manager Junior, Youth and Community Football, Troy Kirkham was thrilled with the numbers after a difficult past 12 months for community football. 

“These participation numbers reflect a healthy rise for football and continue to prove the sport as one of WA’s most popular across all age groups,” Kirkham said. 

“Football is about providing opportunities that are fun, safe and fair with your friends and family in your local community, and we would continue to encourage people to sign up at their local football club or Auskick centre”.

“The overall improvement of participation and umpiring outcomes is off the back of the excellent work from our clubs, volunteers and Regional Development Councils, who have been significantly supported by frontline WA Football Commission staff.”

“COVID-19 impacted community clubs and volunteers significantly last season, but these results are a testament to the importance of community sport and reconnecting communities across WA.”