Tasmania United Fc Forum |
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| DISCUSSIONS > Why Football will succeed | ||
| ntguy | Date posted | Replies |
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"It is estimated that 1.218 million people are engaged in playing Football in Australia (Roy Morgan Poll, August 11, 2003). “Players” mean everyone who participates, from formally registered players with clubs to recreational players. In the same poll AFL were found to have 585,000 players, Rugby League 405,000 players, and Rugby Union 240,000 players."
This quote is of a study done before the Football explosion post 2006 World Cup. Add comments |
24th June 2009 | 3 |
| Comment | ||
ntguyposted at 7:58AM on 23rd Jun, 2009 The interesting thing is that the survey was done before the huge expansion in football with the establishment of the A-League and qualification for the World Cup in 2006. I know the number of registered players in NSW has increased by over 40,000 since then and probably 85-90,000 nationwide. The issue of the leakage of kids to the "more established" has been a worry for football for a long time but the healthy semi professional leagues in NSW, QLD and Victoria together with the development pathways that have been established throughout Australia have resulted in many more staying with the game. Qualifying for the World Cup again will have a similar affect to 2006 and the planned expansion to 12 teams in the A-League next year is, in my view, deliberately timed to take advantage of the heightened interest in the game. I also believe that FFA preferring a 2nd team in both Melbourne and Sydney is so that maximum impact can be gained in the 2 biggest markets. kiallrposted at 1:03AM on 24th Jun, 2009 They are certainly doing all the right things. I live in rural QLD and the local rugby league comp has been ruined by in-fighting and stupidity, while the union and aussie rules sides are required to play games up to 500km away, so there is a struggle to get enough players (for obvious reasons). The local soccer comp has its act together and has a healthy senior, reserves, and junior comp going, starting with under 6s. They saw the problems the other codes had, and simply made sure they avoided the same trouble. |
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kiallr
posted at 5:27AM on 23rd Jun, 2009
The figures have always been good for Soccer participation in this country - it is cheap and easy to play/set up competitions. All my friends and I played growing up, my son plays, his friends play too. The trouble has always been to get enough people playing SERIOUS games past the age of 12 or 13, most (traditionally) have switched to the more physical codes, or stopped playing at a competitve level.
I think the FFA have done a fantastic job and getting more and more teenagers to stick with the game - it can only be good for the sport in this country. World Cup qualification and any success that brings, will surely help the cause further.
Caution must still be taken in terms of A-league expansion and suitable time frames for it. Like any good meal, the right ingredients will only result in a great dish if they are mixed correctly and added at the right time!
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