Footy age groups altered to ensure participation

AFL BARWON will implement new age groups in its junior boys and non-competitive mixed football competitions following an extensive review.

The 2021 season will remain the same, offering under-19, 17, 15, 13, 11, 10 and 9 age groups before switching models in 2022, which will see under-18, 16, 14, 12, 10 and 9 age-groups come into effect.

The driving factor behind these changes was the difficulty clubs were having in maintaining numbers in the under-19 bracket.

Following an in-depth review, a club survey provided the AFL Barwon Commission with strong evidence, which led to the change.

Two-thirds of clubs indicated they wanted the age-groups to change, with 72 per cent saying they had difficulty fielding under-19 teams. Ninety per cent of clubs cited university and work commitments as the main obstacle to the age bracket.

There has been a slight decrease in under-17 and 19 numbers since the previous age-group review in 2017, but worryingly 47 per cent of players did not return for their under-19 season in 2019 – 17 per cent higher than the state average.

AFL Barwon Region general manager Will McGregor said the feedback was crucial to best support player participation and pathways.

“The viability of the under-19 age-group, junior participation numbers and senior club sustainability were aspects of the review that has helped form its recommendations and a long-term junior football strategy in the region.

“Giving young members of the region the best opportunity to enjoy their football and develop social skills is vital, and the recommendations out of this review will greatly assist that.

“I would like to thank the AFL Barwon operations staff for their hard work on the review, and AFL Barwon clubs and associate members for their collaborative efforts.”

Other considerations made by the Commission were to not implement the changes until 2022 to remain streamlined with the NAB League for next year, as well as giving players and clubs and opportunity to better manage that transition.

There will be no changes to the junior female football age groups, while 88 per cent of clubs voted against introducing an under-8 competition, which leaves the under-9s as the youngest bracket for competitive football.