An independent economic contribution assessment has shown the financial impact AFL Goldfields, its leagues and and its clubs have on the region.
Consultancy firm Street Ryan found that AFL Goldfields contributed an estimated $51.637 million to the regional economy across the 2017 season.
The recent financial figures show an increase of almost $17 million from the 2012 Economic Contribution Assessment of $34.682 million.
A highlight of the assessment included the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL) contributed $3.245 million to the regional economy in 2017.
The Navarre Football Netball Club is part of the MCDFNL.
The economic benefit ... will continue to be an enormous advantage...
- Rod Ward
Of the near $52 million contribution, $662,365 was found to have been contributed in the Northern Grampians Shire Council region.
AFL Goldfields Regional General Manager Rod Ward said the leagues and clubs that belong to AFL Goldfields play an important role in the community.
“With the current growth in participation across the region, the economic benefit of the AFL Goldfields competitions will continue to be an enormous advantage to the community,” he said.
Not only has the economic contribution from the leagues grown but the participation numbers have sky rocketed in recent years.
One in three males and more than 20 per cent of people aged between 5 and 39 years old in the AFL Goldfields regions play football.
It was also found that 79 percent of males and 28 per cent of females between the ages of 13 and 18 years old play football.
"AFL Goldfields is one of the fastest growing regions for Australian football participation in Victoria...” Ward said.
"The increase of male and female participation in the youth age group is important and we will hopefully see these players move into senior level and maintain the long-term stability and sustainability of all senior clubs at AFL Goldfields.”
