Football Australia today unveiled the 2024 National Participation Report, highlighting record-breaking growth in participation numbers across grassroots and community football, driven by the legacy of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ and the ongoing success of the CommBank Matildas and Subway Socceroos.
This year’s report confirms football’s position as Australia’s most popular and fastest-growing sport, with over 1.9 million participants nationwide – as well as an 11% increase since 2023 in South Australia (see the full 2024 SA summary here).
In addition to the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and Australia’s national teams, Football Australia’s innovative grassroots initiatives, in combination with the tireless work of the nine Member Federations and volunteer workforce, have been pivotal in achieving these results.
Key insights from the Participation Reports:
- Total participation in South Australia: Increased by 11% to 126, 934 participants.
- Women and girls’ participation nationally: Rose by 16% to 221,436 participants.
- Registered coaches and volunteers: Increased by 19% and 26% respectively, reflecting a growing workforce to support the game across the country.
- Outdoor football participation nationally: Up by 10% to 640,170 participants.
- Social football engagement: Increased by 13% to 174,846 participants.
- School football: total of 28,311 participants in SA.
The award-winning Club Changer: Club Development Program, supported by the Australian Sports Commission, has been a groundbreaking initiative, providing tailored club support to over 1,000 grassroots clubs across the country. The program’s outcomes include enhanced club operations, increased volunteer recruitment and retention, and a focus on creating welcoming environments for women and girls.
James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, highlighted the significance of partnerships in achieving these milestones:
"Our success is a shared achievement with our Member Federations, local associations, grassroots clubs and community volunteers. Programs like the Growing Football Fund supported by CommBank, have provided vital resources to over 200 community clubs, fostering opportunities for women and girls in football and enabling the next generation of coaches, referees and players to thrive".
Building on the success of the 2024 participation numbers, Football Australia will continue to innovate and invest in grassroots football through initiatives like Club Changer and the Growing Football Fund. These programs, combined with strategic partnerships and community-driven development, will remain central to Football Australia’s vision for the future of the sport.