The growth of the AFL

The AFL is continuously growing, both in Australia and around the world. In the last 5 years, the growth of Australian Rules football has been massive, with two new teams introduced in the AFL in 2011 and 2012 and the aim to play games during the standard season (for Premiership points) away from Australia.

In 2011, the Gold Coast Suns were introduced into the competition making taking it from 16 teams to 17 teams. Their home stadium is located in Carrara, Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast Suns on the day of their team name and jersey reveal

In 2012 (a year after the Gold Coast Suns entered the AFL), the Greater Western Sydney Giants entered into the AFL, taking the number of teams from 17 to 18. Their home stadium located in Homebush, Sydney.

The GWS Giants on the day of their team name and jersey reveal

These teams were introduced in states in which there is a massive fan base with the rival league to the AFL in Australia the NRL (Rugby League). The AFL thought, growing the AFL in these NRL heartlands was the first step in growing the popularity of AFL in areas in which AFL wasn’t liked much. In my opinion, this is working well with the memberships of both teams increasing every year since their establishment. The league is now working to make a team in Tasmania in the future.

The AFL is also trying to increase its attendance and popularity away from Australia. History was made in 2013 when the first AFL game was played during the Premiership season in Wellington, New Zealand on ANZAC Day when St. Kilda played Sydney Swans. These games continued on ANZAC Day until St. Kilda stopped hosting games from 2016.

Though it hasn’t stopped there, with Port Adelaide Power showing interest to play a game during the season in China from 2017 but as an away team. The Gold Coast Suns accepted this and have showed interest to be the home team. This request is still yet to be accepted by the AFL.

There are AFL leagues you can join if you’re interested in playing AFL internationally.  Below are some leagues in Australia and internationally with the links provided for more information for your local country. Click a link and find a team to join.

AUSTRALIAN LEAGUES:

NSW/ACT
VICTORIA
QUEENSLAND
TASMANIA

INTERNATIONAL LEAGUES:

USA
INDIA
EUROPE
SOUTH AFRICA