Football Tasmania welcomes the release today of Football Australia’s 2025 National Participation Report, which shows the State recorded a 32 per cent increase in participation last year.
This reflects a huge growth across the game in Tasmania – including outdoor football, futsal, and community and school programs – to 41,395 participants.
The figures show a 4 per cent growth in outdoor football to 15,193 participants, of which 27 per cent are female.
Football Australia’s figures show 1.93 million participants nationwide.
Football Tasmania Chief Executive Officer Tony Pignata OAM said: “Football’s ever-growing popularity is reflected in this huge increase in participation right across the State.
“And in a year where Australia will host the Women’s Asian Cup next month – starring the Matildas – and the Socceroos take part in the men’s World Cup in Canada and the US in June/July, we know this will have a flow on effect in this year’s numbers.
“What we need now is for our governments to help provide us with the facilities we need to support this continued growth.”
Football Tasmania is seeking funding to develop an $80 million Home of Football in the State, to provide additional pitches and modern facilities for all levels of the game, from juniors to elite, and an A-League club for Tasmania.
The Home of Football includes six full-sized pitches – three synthetic and three turf – plus four five-aside pitches for all levels of community and elite football, as well as modern women’s and men’s change rooms and training facilities.
“The success of our Tasmanian teams, such as the JackJumpers in the NBL and the Hurricanes in the BBL, show what is possible with the support of local and State governments,” Mr Pignata said.
“We strive for an elite football presence in the national A-League competition, to take our place on the national stage and to provide a complete pathway for our footballers who aspire to play at the top level.
“Our governments have supported our clubs with upgrades for local facilities – now we need a facility that will benefit the entire football community in Tasmania.”