The most elite professional league in Australian Rules football is the Australian Football League (AFL). Established in 1897, the AFL is made up of 18 teams and has a large following both internationally and domestically. The leagues success is evident with their large fan base, media coverage, and the revenue they generate. Despite its success at the elite level, the AFL faces many challenges in maintaining and growing grassroots participation and engagement. Societal changes such as urbanisation, shifting demographics, and increased competition from other sports and recreational activities heighten these challenges. To address these issues, the proposal aims to enhance community engagement, improve access to the AFL, and guarantee long-term growth and sustainability at all levels of the sport. The proposal focuses on developing strategies to increase participation, especially at the grassroots level, as this is where the foundation of the sports future is built. These efforts will build a more resilient and inclusive sport that is relevant and accessible to all Australians, regardless of their geography, background, or socioeconomic status. …show more content…
Any sport needs grassroots involvement to survive as it creates a love for the game at a young age, develops future talent, and creates a broad base of support keeping the sport competitive. Future AFL engagement is in danger as current statistics indicate a decline in community involvement. Several factors are to blame for this trend, including Australia’s increasing urbanised population, and the reduction of open spaces available. New cultural and recreational preferences as well as an increase in alternative sports have come about through the population's expanding