AFL Tasmania is reporting record participation in junior football programs, as the ‘Tasmania Devils effect’ spreads across the state.
The growth, it says, has been turbocharged by Tasmania’s successful bid for the AFL’s 19th licence.
Since the announcement that the Devils will join the AFL, participation has surged by 45% across schools and Auskick programs.
Statewide participation jumped 13% in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking the second consecutive year of double-digit growth.
The biggest increase came in entry-level programs, with NAB AFL Superkick (7–12-year-olds) participation skyrocketing by 77%.
NAB AFL Auskick (ages 4–7) also recorded strong growth, rising 19% on 2024.
AFL Tasmania said the state now leads the nation in female participation, with girls making up 39% of all Superkickers – a figure boosted by new all-girls programs introduced across the state.
Aaron Roberts, AFL Tasmania’s participation and programs manager, said interest in football shows no signs of slowing.
“More girls and boys than ever are joining their local Auskick and Superkick centres and we’re pleased to see more girls realising their passion for our great game,” he told Pulse.
“Our vision is for footy to be the heartbeat of all Tasmanian communities and this growth shows that we’re well on our way.”
The boom is evident at South Launceston Football Club, which hosted 150 kids at its Auskick clinic last Friday, making it the largest program in the north.
Club president Brendan Poke said the numbers have exceeded expectations.
“It’s partly due to the Devils coming into competition. We normally cap our numbers at around 80 but this year we left it open,” he said.
“We know these numbers are only going to grow, so as a club, we’ll continually work with AFL Tasmania to grow the game.”
“We know in the next few years we’ll need a second ground.”
