With positive growth across every state and territory, the number of Australians playing football rose by 12.5 per cent nationally, up from 1,247,575 in 2015. 

An additional 2,368,567 people were engaged through school or community based clinics and promotions, while total international participation reached 132,890.

“It’s really pleasing to see growth at all levels of our game, from NAB AFL Auskick, to school programs and community football,” AFL General Manager, Game and Market Development, Simon Lethlean said.

“Women and girls now represent 27 per cent of total football participation across all competitions and programs and we expect this to grow as NAB AFL Women’s becomes firmly entrenched in the Australian sporting landscape.”

Mr Lethlean said the AFL’s flagship participation program – NAB AFL Auskick – experienced a 6.9 per cent increase, with close to 196,000 boys and girls taking part in 2016.

2016 Participation highlights

  • Overall participation – 1,404,176 (up 12.5%)
  • Community Club participation – 360,648 (up 7.3%)
  • NAB AFL Auskick participation – 195,719 (up 6.9%)
  • Total teams – 25,770 teams (up 5%)
  • AFL 9s – 22,004 (down 1.11%)
  • School competition participation – 270,337 (up 13%)

Female participation

  • Total female participation – 380,041 (up 19%)
  • Female community club teams – 983 (up 56% or 354 new teams)
  • The number of girls playing NAB AFL Auskick grew by 21% to 53,409
  • Females now account for 27% of all participants