AFL Expansion Worldwide

[Fire]

I would really love to be corrected by people in the know, but I am not sure if footy has grown all that much in those listed countries in terms of teams over the past 15 years or so.

 

[Some_guy]

I am not the most informed, But from the little i know about some leagues in Canada is that footy was growing decently. But Covid did a number on it

 

[Free Agent]

If AFL can't become the dominant force in Sydney or Brisbane I can't see it happening anywhere else.

AFL is going backwards then forward. The game has dropped off a lot in WA aswell.

 

[JackFlash]

The AFL need to concentrate on WA and bring that BACK into the fold than any pipe dream of any international expansion.

 

[The Terrible Thinker]

AFL is going backwards then forward. The game has dropped off a lot in WA aswell.

Junior participation rates in SA has fallen behind Queensland. Probably more of an SANFL issue, but they don't serve the AFL interests either. The AFL must reintroduce zoning to enable AFL clubs to develop junior footy in areas for a direct pathway to the AFL.

The SANFL can kept recruiting ex-AFL players to prop up their ailing league of irrelevance. Probably a similar situation occurring in WA.

 

[AstonSouffle]

They're losing presence in places like WA so there's little point them trying to have a crack overseas.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

That's not a bad shout given the lads from South Sudan who play footy and would love to go back home for a holiday (with a football in hand to show kids) after the war ends.

Had another thought as well, there could potentially be buy-in from multiple countries in the region, because they tend towards different body types that can be advantageous in different ways. As we've seen in our game already, there are a lot of very tall Sudanese and South Sudanese people who make good KPPs. And we've seen that some people from Ethiopia and Kenya dominate at long distance running, perhaps because of a genetic tendency towards better aerobic capacity and endurance. That would make for useful gut running midfielders.

 

[Hoop1888]

Had another thought as well, there could potentially be buy-in from multiple countries in the region, because they tend towards different body types that can be advantageous in different ways. As we've seen in our game already, there are a lot of very tall Sudanese and South Sudanese people who make good KPPs. And we've seen that some people from Ethiopia and Kenya dominate at long distance running, perhaps because of a genetic tendency towards better aerobic capacity and endurance. That would make for useful gut running midfielders.

I'm sure soccer is probably the most popular sport after long & middle distance running in Ethiopia & Kenya, but they don't produce players of note in Europe & there's definitely an untapped market just for the physical attributes you cited. It does seem a complicated one in terms of logistics and potential players having basic skills - do you set up an AusKick camp to get them exposed to footy, then hold a combine down the line or just hold a combine & pick players who scouts feel have potential.

Zach Tuohy mentioned that the scouts are not really looking for a players ball skills at combines - more the athletic side - but they know they're selecting players who use similar(ish) skills to Aussies footy. That's probably the big risk with African lads having no background in that regard.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I'm sure soccer is probably the most popular sport after long & middle distance running in Ethiopia & Kenya, but they don't produce players of note in Europe & there's definitely an untapped market just for the physical attributes you cited. It does seem a complicated one in terms of logistics and potential players having basic skills - do you set up an AusKick camp to get them exposed to footy, then hold a combine down the line or just hold a combine & pick players who scouts feel have potential.

Zach Tuohy mentioned that the scouts are not really looking for a players ball skills at combines - more the athletic side - but they know they're selecting players who use similar(ish) skills to Aussies footy. That's probably the big risk with African lads having no background in that regard.

Oh sure I feel you'd have to build it up over time with skills programs and the like before they'd ever produce an AFL-worthy player. Malnutrition would be a factor too, in a way that it isn't for most of the USA. I look at it as more of a getting in on the ground floor thing as soccer would be popular, but as you say, doesn't have any real stars in Europe. Victor Wanyama is the only East African player I've ever heard of.

 

[Hoop1888]

Oh sure I feel you'd have to build it up over time with skills programs and the like before they'd ever produce an AFL-worthy player. Malnutrition would be a factor too, in a way that it isn't for most of the USA. I look at it as more of a getting in on the ground floor thing as soccer would be popular, but as you say, doesn't have any real stars in Europe. Victor Wanyama is the only East African player I've ever heard of.

you must be a soccer fan? Victor played for my club & I was going to mention him but thought it would have been an obscure reference.

Only thing I can think of is a scholarship program of some sort getting kids over at an early age. But then a club is paying for a kids education, for a sport they might not like, and around the age they start to discover booze, cigarettes/cigarettes of the funny kind, girls and partying. Does seem a bit of a concern that a couple of poster have said footy in WA is not producing. Probably best to invest & grow the game at home rather than going outside of country.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

you must be a soccer fan? Victor played for my club & I was going to mention him but thought it would have been an obscure reference.

I was more of a fan of soccer back in the mid-2010s when Victor was in his prime. I've taken a big step back over the past few years, money has ruined that sport.

Only thing I can think of is a scholarship program of some sort getting kids over at an early age. But then a club is paying for a kids education, for a sport they might not like, and around the age they start to discover booze, cigarettes/cigarettes of the funny kind, girls and partying. Does seem a bit of a concern that a couple of poster have said footy in WA is not producing. Probably best to invest & grow the game at home rather than going outside of country.

Perhaps so. Rugby league is moving into WA soon.

 

[Atomboy]

Development Grants: Unifying states is India’s super power

By Chris McAsey An AFL Asia Development Grant is helping to unify India’s booming footy states with outstanding results both at home and on the international stage. After several years in a Covid-impacted slump, the grant has supported national body ARFAI’s efforts to roll out training programs...

aflasia.com

An AFL Asia Development Grant is helping to unify India’s booming footy states with outstanding results both at home and on the international stage.

After several years in a Covid-impacted slump, the grant has supported national body ARFAI’s efforts to roll out training programs and re-vitalise state-based and national competitions.

ARFAI Founder and former Team India Captain, Sudip Chakraborty said the last year has seen ‘very clear and visible enthusiasm and energy across participants, volunteer state leaders and supporter communities.’

‘Seven states in India were able to organise state level championships or trials in the lead up to the ARFAI National Championship in January 2025.

‘This was a significant boost to motivation for both players and volunteer leaders in the return to competitive footy post Covid.’

Footy is booming again in India after disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic.
The resurgence of footy across India comes off the back of ARFAI’s work behind the scenes to re-motivate participants across the country to return to the sport. India led the Asian region for growth in 2024, with a 96% rise in participation.

‘ARFAI was able to facilitate multiple camps and leadership meetings for all participating states in India,’ Sudip said.

‘In particular the camps organised in the lead-up to Asia Cup were essential for a unified approach among the state leaders, who travelled from states thousands of kilometres apart across India.’

Team India’s return to international competition at the inaugural AFL Asia Cup in Vietnam came with a fitting reward for that approach, with India making the semi-final round for the first time.

India’s success at the inaugural AFL Asia Cup in Vietnam has provided momentum for the sport’s growth.
Sudip said that Team’s India’s success at the AFL Asia Cup was the perfect scene setter for the milestone 10th National Championships in Odisha state in January 2025.

‘Success at the Asia Cup has already provided momentum for the sport’s growth in India and that was highlighted by a magnificent 10th National Championship,’ he said.

Ten Indian states were represented at the Championships – from Kerala in the south to Uttar Pradesh in the north, Rajasthan in the west, and West Bengal in the east.

Ten Indian states competed at the 2025 National Championships in Odisha.
A record number of matches were played on an immaculate surface at Centurion University Oval in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Visibility of footy in India was enhanced by live streaming of the Championships for the first time, and social media posts by the Hon. Sports Minister of Odisha after inaugurating the tournament.

Another significant development at the tournament was the first ever inter-state women’s footy competition, with three states from eastern India competing – Odisha Swans, West Bengal Tigers and the Jharkhand Crows.

Jharkand Crows won the first women’s zonal competition in India, held alongside the National Champioships.
ARFAI Officials’ Masterclass

In October 2025 ARFAI will hold its first Officials’ Masterclass in coaching, umpiring and administration for volunteer state leaders across India.

ARFAI has hosted volunteers from Australia almost every year to help out as Umpires / Officials and to identify talented players and prize winners.

ARFAI is calling for Expressions of Interest from volunteers to support the ARFAI leadership group in delivering these programs in October 2025 and January 2026 (see flyers below for more details).

 

[Consolaçao]

Junior participation rates in SA has fallen behind Queensland. Probably more of an SANFL issue, but they don't serve the AFL interests either. The AFL must reintroduce zoning to enable AFL clubs to develop junior footy in areas for a direct pathway to the AFL.

The SANFL can kept recruiting ex-AFL players to prop up their ailing league of irrelevance. Probably a similar situation occurring in WA.

Not even close to true. Maybe in terms of absolute numbers?

Participation by state and territory (adult/ child) below, from 2024 Ausplay data:
ACT (2.2%/ 4.7%)
NSW (1.4%/ 3.1%)
NT (3.9%/ 3.5%**)
QLD (1.2%/ 3.2%)
SA (3.6%/ 10.1%)
TAS (3.4%/ 10.7%)
VIC (4.1%/ 8.9%)
WA (4.4%/ 8.3%)

**low sample size, so unreliable

 

[Cold Ghost]

I agree with the sentiment around cricket playing nations. The established oval grounds are ripe for the picking.