Women behind growth
THE popularity of Australian football continues to rise in Queensland, with a record high of more than 275,000 people playing the sport in the Sunshine State last year.
On the back of the popularity of the Brisbane Lions AFLW side and the inclusion of the Gold Coast Suns this season, the rise in numbers includes more than 115,000 females, which equates to 41 per cent of the state’s total participation base.
“It’s a result which we are particularly proud of,” AFL state manager for kids, growth and diversity Mark Ensor said.
The Suns’ link to North Queensland has only strengthened in the past year as well, with the club bringing its first AFL Premiership fixture to Townsville and former local junior Ellie Hampson getting a start in the club’s AFLW ranks.
The Gold Coast club, which includes North Queensland in its catchment regions, has also doubled down on its involvement with local juniors.
The establishment of the Gold Coast Suns has helped deliver impressive growth in participation throughout Queensland and particularly in the club’s zones across the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers and North Queensland where participation has doubled in each region.
A Suns spokesman said the club was proud of the reach they had garnered into a traditional league heartland.
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“As a club we have established significant support ort in North Queensland and enjoy playing our role in helping elping grow the game in the region egion over the past ten years,” s,” he said.
“We have significantly ly increased our commitment nt to the region, appointing our r first full-time staff member based sed in North Queensland and d increased our spend on the male and female talent pathways ays to help provide greater opportunortunities for junior footballers.
“In conjunction with the team at AFL Townsville le we have amplified our support ort of local football with junior players presented with membermberships, a greater involvement ent in supporting Auskick, attending nding local footy finals and the e implementation of a local coachoach- es development program.” ”
Last week AFL players s Sam Flanders, Charlie Ballard d and AFLW player Taylor Smith were in Townsville as part art of the club’s community camp ahead of the 2020 season. .