Expansion Lionel Messi the most popular sports star amongst Australian children ages 4-14

[J_Moore]

As per this article (Oz subscription needed)

edit: alternative google results link. Click the top article to read

The relevant bit:

...And Barcelona soccer player Lionel Messi is the most popular sports star among Australian children, ahead of Test cricket captain Michael Clarke, according to the latest New Generations research study conducted by Turner Broadcasting for its Cartoon Network.

That's a pretty significant bit of information, I reckon. If I was the AFL, NRL, or ARU, I'd be filling my boots, to be honest.

 

[10571z]

Really? I doubt most of them have even seen him play very much seeing as the games are on late/early at night

 

[Quivorir]

Would love to read article but I cant.

Who was polled? ( I have never ever been polled in this type of s**t)
Where are they from?
Were they given a list to select from or just asked an open ended question?

 

[Quivorir]

Your link also seems to go to an article to do with Net Savvy kids influencing household spending.

 

[RUNVS]

I doubt most of them would recognise him in a lineup.

 

[LeoMessi]

Brace! The soccer is cominggggg!

 

[Father Jack]

I assume that's to do with the power of FIFA video games? I further assume that their favourite overall role model is Trevor Phillips.

 

[J_Moore]

Your link also seems to go to an article to do with Net Savvy kids influencing household spending.

Yeah, it's part of general research into kids media/spending habits, commissioned for the Cartoon Network channel. I've quoted the relevant bit re: sports.

Obvious questions about the poll's representativeness etc would have been taken into account by the researchers. They do this professionally. "I've never been polled in one of these" isn't a meaningful observation.

 

[Quivorir]

"I've never been polled in one of these" isn't a meaningful observation.

Oh I just threw that out there. Not trying to take away from the research.

 

[ManWithNoName]

I assume that's to do with the power of FIFA video games? I further assume that their favourite overall role model is Trevor Phillips.

Can only be a good thing.

 

[Pea Nut]

I doubt most of them would recognise him in a lineup.

Exactly the point I was going to make. Most would not be able to pick him out of a crowd. My nephew just bought a set of replica footy boots of some soccer player, and I can guarantee you he has never seen him play.

 

[The 747]

Well, we should all just pack up and go home.

 

[Rob]

Yet GWS gets more viewers in Sydney than Barcelona gets nationally.

I think it's more 'I know a kid that has a Messi shirt and he's the coolest'.

 

[Defacto]

As per this article (Oz subscription needed)

edit: alternative google results link. Click the top article to read

The relevant bit:



That's a pretty significant bit of information, I reckon. If I was the AFL, NRL, or ARU, I'd be filling my boots, to be honest.

my son is 5, 6 in november. struggles to name any sports players

the biggest issue facing AFL is the same one facing Soccer and all other sports. Video games. theres a reason why twitch sold for so much.

but you wont hear that coming from the soccer driven "the tsunami is coming for the AFL crowd"

 

[Father Jack]

Oh I just through that out there. Not trying to take away from the research.

You'd be surprised how few people you really do need to get an accurate overall picture. I'd tell you but I can't remember the number, but I do remember being surprised.

 

[garrydavis]

When I was a kid I didn't even know what soccer was. I mean, I did play the game because my parents tried to get me into as many sports as possible. But I never knew the names of professional players. Neither did anyone I knew.

All my idols as a kid were Richmond players, and I'd say my favourite player was Richo.

These days its all about soccer because if you play footy (not afl; afl is the name of the league) your hair might get ruined.

 

[Ashton Agar]

Where would these kids actually watch Messi? All the games are played during the night, and he plays in La Liga which isn't watched anywhere near as much as the Premier League.

 

[LeoMessi]

Where would these kids actually watch Messi? All the games are played during the night, and he plays in La Liga which isn't watched anywhere near as much as the Premier League.

That's a real shame isn't in?!

 

[fabulousphil]

What about Magic Johnson, does he get a run these days !!, sorry !!, i meant Micheal Jordan

 

[JUBJUB]

Where would these kids actually watch Messi? the games are played during the night, and he plays in La Liga which isn't watched anywhere near as much as the Premier League.

good point as that's when 14 year olds are out drinking and stealing cars for joyrides

 

[Furn2]

This is why the AFL needs to fund a quality AFL video game, rather than charge for its rights.

It's the best way to expose young kids to the game.

My nephew is obsessed with fifa ultimate team but has zero interest in watching an actual game of soccer.

 

[JUBJUB]

What about Magic Johnson, does he get a run these days !!.

He's sub

 

[Vapor]

This is a good thing, Lionel Messi is the best football player of all time IMO

 

[Ashton Agar]

good point as that's when 14 year olds are out drinking and stealing cars for joyrides

This is 4-14 year olds we are talking about.

 

[craigos]

Must have polled just girls because only they play soca