Auskick participation hits all-time national 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 could jump even higher before the season officially closes on October 31. 

In Victoria, Benalla Auskick Centre has the largest girls-only group in the state with 56 girls currently involved in the program and in South Barwon, there’s been a 48 per cent increase in female participation since 2022. 

The popularity and inclusivity of Australian Rules Football throughout communities was also highlighted in the record-breaking year with almost a quarter of all participants in 2023 having a parent born overseas and five per cent identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. 

The success of the 2023 NAB AFL Auskick season coincides with a number of new initiatives launched this year for the program including the inaugural Team NAB AFL Auskick competition – an evolution of the NAB Auskicker of the Year competition – and all-girls Auskick sessions, which are currently open for registrations in Victoria. 

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan congratulated everyone involved in breaking the record. 

“This is an enormous milestone for NAB AFL Auskick and I’d like to thank each and every Auskicker and their family for signing up this year and being part of our footy community,” McLachlan said. 

“We love seeing the joy this program brings to children across the country as they pull on their favourite footy colours and join friends at their local centre – footy at that age is all about having fun and experiencing Aussie Rules for the first time. 

“I’d like to thank NAB Group CEO, Ross McEwan, and his team at NAB for their continued support of Auskick, their invaluable investment plays a vital role in the success of the program.” 

CLICK HERE for the full media release on afl.com.au.