Football Victoria (FV) has welcomed the findings of the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) 2025 AusPlay New Participation Report, which confirms football remains the most popular team sport in the country.
The new data reinforces Football Australia’s (FA) own 2024 participation figures, which show more than 1.9 million Australians engaged with football last year across various formats, including MiniRoos, community clubs, futsal, and inclusive and social football programs.
In Victoria, 2024 saw almost 92,000 participants engaging with the sport, a new participation record and a 17% increase over 2023.
In response to this growth, FV continues to evolve the game to meet the diverse needs of today’s participants – from children to seniors, from elite pathways to recreational formats, and with a particular focus on accessibility for women, girls, and people of all abilities.
However, FA warns that without increased investment from all levels of government into community infrastructure all sports risks falling behind growing demand, especially among female participants.
FA’s Securing our Football Future – Policy Proposal to Government outlines a national long-term infrastructure strategy to address the participation surge and unlock the sport’s potential as a vehicle for social impact. The strategy includes proposals for co-investment in community football hubs, gender-inclusive facilities, and access programs for under-represented groups.
As Australia prepares for major upcoming international tournaments and the ongoing legacy of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Football Australia is calling on all levels of government to work collaboratively with the sport to ensure that participation demand can be met – now and for generations to come.
FV Acting CEO Dan Birrell spoke of the ever-increasing need for facilities if football wants to remain an accessible sport in the state.
“Football in Victoria is booming, particularly in growth corridors with young families but our local facilities are struggling to keep pace.”
“Children are being turned away due to a lack of suitable playing fields and facilities.”
“Government investment in modern, accessible pitches and community infrastructure is essential to creating more opportunities for children, fostering community connections and ensuring football remains inclusive and accessible for all.”
FA Interim Chief Executive Officer Heather Garriock worries that, without an increase in facility funding, participants will be left behind.
“The AusPlay data confirms what we’re seeing on the ground – football is booming. The game is more inclusive than ever, with women, girls, multicultural and regional communities embracing it at every level.
“The Federal Government’s Play Our Way grant program was a fantastic initiative to address the grassroots facilities gap. What is clear however, is that sporting clubs need a long-term funding solution for all levels of government to solve the facilities gap for all sport.
“Without upgraded infrastructure and more community facilities, we risk leaving people behind.
“This isn’t just about sport – football drives social cohesion, physical health, and gender equality. It’s time to future-proof the game so we can continue to compete internationally with a long-term, coordinated investment strategy to deliver quality facilities for all Australians.”
FV is developing a state-wide strategy to guide the future planning and development of football facilities and infrastructure.
The Football Victoria Facilities Strategy 2025-2035 will deliver a 10-year road map for football facility development projects and sustained participation growth.
Below is just a few of the projects currently being worked on or planned across the State:
Key Victorian Infrastructure Projects
Geelong
Delivering a 5-pitch major football facility in Geelong to handle unprecedented growth, with concept designs to be completed in 2025. Significant council funding has been allocated over a 4-5-year period; however, further funding is required to meet the current funding shortfall.
Moonee Valley Soccer Hub
Delivering a major football facility for Moonee Valley. A location has been identified, and a masterplan and design process is underway. Federal funding is required to unlock the current funding shortfall.
Beveridge Central Sporting Complex
Delivering a major football facility for Beveridge. A location has been identified, and a masterplan and design process is underway. A partnership with Melbourne Victory FC has been secured for this project (it would serve as their ‘Northern Campus’) and federal funding is required to unlock the current funding shortfall.
Warrnambool Regional Football Hub (Brierly Reserve)
Delivering a Sports Pavilion & Community Hub Project alongside recently completed pitch and lighting construction. Concept designs for the broader project are complete, with detailed designs still required. Federal funding is required to unlock the current funding shortfall.
Mildura Regional Football Hub (Old Aerodrome Sporting Complex)
Delivering a Sports Pavilion project in the remote Mildura area, with concept designs underway and detailed designs required. A commitment of additional funding is required to ensure progress of this project.