NAB AFL Auskickers break all-time registered participation record

It’s official, 125,000 young Auskickers across the country have pulled on their boots this season to break the all-time registered participation record for the NAB AFL Auskick program.

Eclipsing the previous record of 123,475 which was set in 2019, every state improved on last season’s numbers, resulting in an overall participation growth of 13 per cent from 2022.

This figure will likely jump even higher before the season officially closes on 31 October.

.

.

NSW and the ACT has played a huge role in this record-breaking year, led by a new generation of girls getting involved in Auskick. The state and territory saw around 60 per cent more girls playing Auskick in 2023 compared with 2022 and now 30 per cent of all Auskickers in this region are girls.

The upward trend in girls getting involved in footy has meant more girls in mixed teams across the state and territory, with many clubs forming standalone junior girls’ teams when they didn’t have them previously.

The AFL Sydney Juniors competition has experienced such high demand for girls playing footy that it is, for the first time, creating a standalone U9 girls competition in 2024. Players are invited to register their interest now via this form.

..

.

Head of AFL NSW/ACT, Tiffany Robertson, thanked everyone involved in Auskick and attributed the growth of girls to the new all girls Auskick programs rolling out across the state and territory. “The AFL is extremely grateful to all the Auskick volunteers who work so hard to give participants such a fun and unforgettable experience,” she said.

“The national record shows how much boys and girls and their families love pulling on their favourite footy colours and having fun while having a go at AFL.

“The increased number of girls playing is immensely exciting, as is the advent of an U9 girls competition across AFL Sydney Juniors next year. I can’t wait to see more and more people coming to Auskick, loving the program and starting their footy journey.”

.

.

NAB Group CEO Ross McEwan said: “It’s great to see NAB’s partnership with the AFL Auskick program kicking goals, with a record number of kids taking to the field this year.

“Communities are built when kids and families come together at their local footy ovals. NAB’s partnership with AFL Auskick is about supporting this next generation of players, coaches, and volunteers.

“We’ve broken two records this year after almost 2,000 Auskickers entered the Team NAB AFL Auskick competition. With NAB’s support, 23 lucky kids will join their heroes running out onto the MCG to present them their medals on 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final Day.”

.

.