Watch Video
Podcasts
Blogs
AUSTRALIA 
Efforts to boost indigenous players
Friday, 23 May, 2008
The reason for the lack of Aboriginal representation maybe due to the superior recruitment practices of other football codes and the lack of a clear football development pathway. (SBS)
WATCH A VIDEO
It may be known as the World Game, but in Australia football is as unpopular now with indigenous communities as it once was before its renaissance.
The reason for the lack of Aboriginal representation maybe due to the superior recruitment practices of other football codes and the lack of a clear football development pathway.
Video: Indigenous players
Statistics tell the story
Through its Kick Start program targeting remote Aboriginal communities in Australia's far north, 11 per cent of AFL players boast an Indigenous background.
Indigenous players also make up a similar proportion in the National Rugby League (NRL), which also recruits from indigenous settlements as part of its Reconcilliation Action Plan.
The A-League in comparison has less than 2 per cent of its rosters occupied by indigenous players.
Not all bad news for football
In the game's fastest growing demographic, player registrations have increased by 30 per cent over the past three seasons for female footballers, 16 year old Matilda Kyah Simons is among Australia's best players.
Efforts are being made to further bolster indigenous numbers.
Click here to watch Rob Grasso's report
Source: SBS
The reason for the lack of Aboriginal representation maybe due to the superior recruitment practices of other football codes and the lack of a clear football development pathway.
Video: Indigenous players
Statistics tell the story
Through its Kick Start program targeting remote Aboriginal communities in Australia's far north, 11 per cent of AFL players boast an Indigenous background.
Indigenous players also make up a similar proportion in the National Rugby League (NRL), which also recruits from indigenous settlements as part of its Reconcilliation Action Plan.
The A-League in comparison has less than 2 per cent of its rosters occupied by indigenous players.
Not all bad news for football
In the game's fastest growing demographic, player registrations have increased by 30 per cent over the past three seasons for female footballers, 16 year old Matilda Kyah Simons is among Australia's best players.
Efforts are being made to further bolster indigenous numbers.
Click here to watch Rob Grasso's report
Source: SBS
