NAB AFL Superkick registrations soared in 2025 to more than 10,000. Image: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos
Football participation across Victoria continues to grow, surpassing 250,000 registered participants in 2025 to mark an all-time record for the state.
Victorians accounted for more than 40 per cent of all football participants nation-wide this year, up 6 per cent on last year, with the national total reaching a record 625,000 participants.
Touted as the ‘older sibling’ of NAB AFL Auskick, boys and girls’ participation in NAB AFL Superkick grew by 170 per cent in Victoria, hitting a new record of 10,000 participants in the program’s second year.
Modified footy offering AFL Nines continued to grow in popularity, with a 27 per cent increase in registered participants. AFL Nines has been designed to fit into everyday life, with the nine-a-side, no tackling format accessible to people of all ages and skill levels.
Growth in community football across both country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne remains steady, with more than 183,000 Victorians registered with a local club from junior and youth through to senior level.
Primary and high school students are continuing to engage more with Aussie Rules football, assisted by AFL Victoria’s partnership with School Sport Victoria (SSV), with 57 per cent growth in 2025. An extension to the partnership with SSV for a further two years was announced in August.
Women and girls participation continues to grow, up 4 per cent across community football, whilst one in five NAB AFL Auskick and Superkick participants were girls in 2025.
For the first time ever, Victoria celebrated 1,000 women and girls registered as community umpires.
Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld, said the record numbers reflect both the strength of the game and the deepening connection Australians continue to build with footy.
“Reaching 625,000 participants (nationally) this year is a remarkable achievement and a powerful reminder of how footy continues to bring communities together across the country,” Auld said.
“As more Australians find their pathway into the game, our focus remains on making sure footy is welcoming, inclusive and accessible as we strive to have one million participants by 2033.
“Encouraging people to find their way to play - whether it’s through NAB AFL Auskick, NAB AFL Superkick, community football or AFL Nines – sits at the heart of that vision, driven by the 10 per cent enshrined investment into Game Development that supports programs and participation across all levels of the game.
“To sustain the game for generations to come, we need a strong foundation. These results are driven by the thousands of people who give their time, energy and passion to footy every week.
"We know there are challenges in local footy and there is still work that needs to be done to help clubs; but to our clubs, coaches, umpires, volunteers and parents who make all of this possible, thank you and we’re incredibly grateful for everything you do.”
With the festive season approaching, families can give the gift of footy fun through NAB AFL Auskick and NAB AFL Superkick, with registrations including a welcome pack and a little something extra for under the tree.
To find out how you can play and connect with Australian football, visit: play.afl