PHOTO: Sproule Sports Focus
Football continues to be Australia’s largest club-based participation sport by a wide margin with almost half a million more participants than AFL and more than twice as many as cricket. Rugby League and Rugby Union do not make the list of the top 10 club-based sports in terms of participation.
An update of the Australian Sports Commission’s official AusPlay survey, the largest survey of its type ever undertaken in Australia, shows that 1,152,144 men, women, boys and girls are participating in football.
“Football has never been bigger or busier,” said Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop. “It’s is the people’s game. Wherever you are around this country, whatever your age, background or ability, there is a place for you in football.
“With the Caltex Socceroos qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ on Wednesday night and the Westfield Matildas in world’s best form, we expect to see even more people taking up football over the coming year.
“We will continue to work with our Member Federations and governments at every level around the country so that the necessary infrastructure is available.
“For parents of young children looking for a safe, accessible and inclusive sport, football is the answer – and these figures show just how many people are making that choice. Our ALDI MiniRoos program is the most participated junior sports initiative of any code.”
To find out how you can get involved in football, go to myfootball.com.au
AusPlay Results
NB: AusPlay provides data on the most popular participation sports and activities in Australia and who is participating in them.
AusPlay results from the last financial year (July 2016 to June 2017) found that for sport played in sport clubs, football continues to be the top sport among adults and children combined.
| Club sport (Adults and Children combined) Top activities |
Population estimate | Per cent of population | Per cent of club sport population |
| Football | 1,152,442 | 4.7% | 18.0% |
| Golf | 751,766 | 3.1% | 11.7% |
| Australian Football | 673,986 | 2.7% | 10.5% |
| Netball | 665,738 | 2.7% | 10.4% |
| Tennis | 628,708 | 2.6% | 9.8% |
| Basketball | 594,919 | 2.4% | 9.3% |
| Cricket | 562,107 | 2.3% | 8.8% |
| Swimming | 406,035 | 1.6% | 6.3% |
| Athletics, track and field (includes running/jogging) | 298,999 | 1.2% | 4.7% |
| Touch football | 278,168 | 1.1% | 4.3% |
