Football Tasmania is bringing the world game to Parliament today to highlight the increasingly important role football plays in our community.
Football Tasmania CEO, Matt Bulkeley said it was important to highlight just how important football has become in Tasmania in recent years.
“Football has always been an important part of the community, providing vast social, health and economic benefits – but what we’ve seen in recent years is an explosion in participation numbers,” Mr Bulkeley said.
“We’re seeing an increase in all age groups, but in particular from females and that’s only going to get bigger with Australia set to host the Women’s World Cup in 2023. To put that event in context, only the Men’s Football World Cup and the Olympics are bigger. Over a billion people will tune in to watch the best women in the world play in Australia and hopefully that includes matches in Tasmania too.
“Tasmania already has the highest proportion of females playing the game of any state in Australia at 28 per cent of total registered participants, and we’re looking forward to this figure rising as we focus on increasing opportunities further for women and girls to enjoy football.”
Mr Bulkeley said it was fantastic to have Football Australia CEO, James Johnson at the event to meet with Tasmanian MPs.
“Football Australia is playing a crucial role in developing football in Tasmania and it’s important that Mr Johnson is here to see first hand the growth in the game in our State and to discuss future opportunities with our leaders.”
Official Sport Australia statistics show close to 40,000 Tasmanians play football each year, and EMRS polling reveals one-in-five Tasmanian households are directly involved in the World Game.
“With State and Federal elections likely in the next 12 months or so, today is an important opportunity to remind politicians just how big the football community is and to make our case for fairness in funding when it comes to grassroots support. The Government has really supported grassroots sport during the COVID crisis and the football community would like to see that close working relationship carry on into the future.
“We know that by supporting football, the Government is helping the community stay healthy and connected.”
