Retention Project Resources

Finding way to keep kids in our great game is paramount to the future success of local football clubs in Gippsland. Through extensive consultation with football stakeholders across the region, the Gippsland Junior Football Retention Project team has identified four key focus areas crucial for attracting and retaining junior players in the game:

1. Coaching
2. Environment
3. Pathways and Programs
4. Competitions

Across these areas, the Gippsland football community consistently emphasized that a positive match-day experience is paramount. A good day at the footy, leading to enjoyable outcomes for players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, parents, guardians, and supporters, is largely how we all want to spend our winter weekends.

Unfortunately, a “win at all costs” mentality, particularly at the junior level, often diminishes enjoyment and passion for Australia’s game, leading individuals—even those on the winning side—to seek other weekend activities.

This project was never intended to produce a report that simply gathers dust. Instead, its core purpose has always been to gather facts, hear stories, and collaborate to continually improve.

We’ve co-designed actionable initiatives, which we’ve termed BIG PLAYS, across these four themes. The challenge now is to bring these BIG PLAYS to life. By engaging with local Leagues, Clubs, players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, parents, guardians, and supporters, we aim to work together to ensure more good days at the footy, put smiles on kids’ faces, boost participation and retention rates, and ultimately foster a lasting love of the game in Gippsland. Each of the 26 BIG PLAYS has a tick box next to them ready to keep track of for the 2026 season.

I invite you to join us in delivering more of the good stuff for the remainder of the 2025 season and plenty more in 2026!

Resources

Coaching

1. Coaches Code of Conduct and Pre Season League Briefings – to be developed in early 2026 with local community coaches. Session details to be posted here in January 2026.
2. Minimum Registration and Accreditation Requirements (League specific levels) – Each of the seven Gippsland Junior Leagues is working through coaching requirements for 2026 and subsequent seasons.
3. Pre-Match Rituals, Upholding of Junior Match Rules and Post Match Debrief – Leagues will work with Clubs around defined processes for junior coaches across Gippsland.
4. Coach Developers Program – engagement with AFL Victoria Coach Developers is now available for Clubs to access Coach Developers – AFL Gippsland
5. Gippsland Coaching Academies – all community coaches are able to join the Gippsland Coaching Academy and and applications for the Female Coaching Academy will open up again in late 2026. Gippsland Coaching Academies 2026 – AFL Gippsland
6. Training courses to be run locally and online – Support for coaches will be available through 2026 with local face to face and online courses being available. This will support coaches in meeting accreditation requirements and support the development of the Gippsland coaching cohort. Coach – AFL Gippsland
7. Coaching Coordinators roles to be filled where possible – Junior clubs are strongly recommended to appoint coaching coordinators for the 2026 season to support club committees and coaches.

Environment

8. All Clubs to implement and/or have greater visibility of Club Code of Conduct

9. Increase in Match Day expectation signage at all Clubs – Venue signage themed around “A Good Day at the Footy” is currently being produced and will be distributed to all clubs across Gippsland in early 2026.

10. All Clubs to ensure all Match Day volunteers are on the team sheet and wearing League approved vests e.g. Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Manager, First Aid and Runner – this is being provided directly through Leagues and via AFL Gippsland in 2026. These will be distributed in early 2026.

11. All Clubs to complete the AFL Club Health Check – available for all Clubs to complete with dedicated support from the AFL Gippsland Club Development Lead to be provided to support clubs. The Club Health Check is a comprehensive self-assessment tool designed to help clubs evaluate their overall health and sustainability. The check covers key areas including governance, volunteer engagement, financial management, facilities, and player pathways, offering clubs a clear picture of their strengths and areas for improvement.

12. All Clubs to develop player recruitment and retention strategies – support is provided by the AFL Gippsland Club Development Lead to be provided to support clubs.

13. All Clubs to develop volunteer recruitment and retention strategies – support is provided by the AFL Gippsland Club Development Lead to be provided to support clubs.

14. Increase in umpire quality, development and support – Umpire Associations and League are being provided with additional training and support through the AFL Victoria umpire development team. This will incorporate support for Club umpires.

15. Creation of AFL Gippsland Child Safeguarding Policy – to be released in early 2026 with the support of local leagues and AFL.

Pathways and Programs

16. All Clubs to review player pathways from Auskick, Superkick, Junior, Youth and Senior competitions and Junior and Senior Club connections.

17. Engage in initiatives including AFL/AFLW Community Camps, School Holiday Programs, School Engagements, Auskick and Superkick (School Based and Staff Delivered, V/Line Cup, Interleague and All Stars Program – players, coaches, umpires and volunteers have opportunities to proactively engage in these initiatives.

18. AFL Victoria and AFL Gippsland to investigate new AFL pilot programs.

19. All Clubs to strengthen the relationship between Junior and Senior Clubs.

20. All Clubs to strengthen Auskick/Superkick relationships with Junior and Senior Clubs.

Competitions

21. Apply a mercy rule that suits the local competition circumstances and ensure implementation by Clubs (coaches, players, umpires and spectators).

22. All Leagues to review local By-Laws in line with AFL Junior Rules (modified age specific rules).

23. Optimising age groups through consultation with Clubs, Leagues and AFL Gippsland,

24. Clubs and Leagues to consider implementing innovative competition structures that aid in retention.

25. Increase girls’ competition participation opportunities.

26. Clubs to review the competitions they play in to optimise participation and retention.