PEAK sporting bodies across Australia are boasting participation growth, but at the local level, some clubs are struggling to make junior numbers.<\/p>\n
Paula Galloway is involved with the Bell Post Hill juniors and says the club has seen fluctuations in registration numbers coming into the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
Location, competition with other sports and cost are the biggest factors in lower numbers, she said.<\/p>\n
“I think our club is struggling for numbers because of it being in the northern suburbs,” Galloway said.<\/p>\n
“You look at the families and the multiculturalism in the northern suburbs and a lot of children are playing soccer.<\/p>\n
“Some families also don’t want their child to play a contact sport because of the all-head injuries and awareness around concussion. Which is more than fair.<\/p>\n
“Sport is also super expensive and with the cost of living, buying boots, uniforms and then fees, so therefore parents are having to sacrifice what out of school activities their kids can do so they can also put food on their plate.”<\/p>\n
While Bell Post Hill Football Netball Club has been able to subsidise their junior registrations for 2026, it isn’t an option for every club.<\/p>\n
Geelong West Giants have also seen a change in numbers this season, fielding less teams than in 2025.<\/p>\n
Junior football president Riley Moore echoed Galloway’s sentiments and the difficulties that some families have keeping their children in sport.<\/p>\n
He emphasised the important social impacts that being involved in sport has on young children.<\/p>\n
“Sport is so important for so many reasons,” Moore said. “The physical health reasons, but the social aspects, the ability to work in a team and face adversity in a healthy way, I think is really important.<\/p>\n
“Kids are getting challenged in a controlled environment and learning how to deal with that and then being able to celebrate the successes that come off the back of that.<\/p>\n
“I think team sport in general just really lends itself to helping develop young people.”<\/p>\n
Both Galloway and Moore said their clubs are continuing to welcome any new players and their families.<\/p>\n
There are 37 AFL Barwon-affiliated junior clubs across the region, each vying for the participation of children in football and netball.<\/p>\n
As the cost of living continues to impact families, the Victorian government is aiding access to sport through the Get Active Kids voucher program.<\/p>\n
The $200 vouchers can be used towards the cost of registration for team sport at eligible clubs. Parents who were successful in round 10 applications for the vouchers must use them by 29 April.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, AFL Barwon has announced four clubs will receive $2,000 towards junior registration relief.<\/p>\n
Clubs have until 24 April to apply for the grants which will support those who need it most.<\/p>\n
Details can be found on AFL Barwon’s website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PEAK sporting bodies across Australia are boasting participation growth, but at the local level, some clubs are struggling to make junior numbers. Paula Galloway is involved with the Bell Post Hill juniors and says the club has seen fluctuations in registration numbers coming into the 2026 season. Location, competition with other sports and cost are […]<\/p>\n