Data Guide · Kids & Sport
Kids & sport in Australia: participation by the numbers
Soccer is now the #1 organised sport for Australian children aged 9–14. Here’s what the national data says about how many kids play sport, which sports they choose, and why it matters — with a look at Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Australian children aged 9–14 play soccer — the #1 organised sport for that age group.
AusPlay / Australian Sports Commission, 2025children aged 0–14 (38%) take part in organised sport outside school hours every week.
Australian Sports Commission, 2025soccer's rank among all children's activities nationally, behind only swimming.
AusPlay 2023–24of children aged 5–14 meet the recommended 60 minutes of activity a day — a gap sport helps close.
ABS survey, via AIHWSoccer is the most popular club sport for Australian kids
According to AusPlay — the Australian Sports Commission’s national participation survey — football (soccer) is the number-one organised sport for children aged 9–14, with around 378,000 participants. Among younger children aged 0–8 it ranks second (about 313,000), behind swimming.
Nationally, football is also the top club-based participation sport across all ages, ahead of basketball, netball and Australian rules football. In short: more Australian kids are choosing to play the world game than almost any other organised sport.
The most popular activities for Australian children
Across the AusPlay 2023–24 survey, these were the five most popular activities for children:
| Rank | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Swimming |
| 2 | Soccer (football) |
| 3 | Dance |
| 4 | Basketball |
| 5 | Gymnastics |
Source: AusPlay 2023–24, Australian Sports Commission (top activities for children aged 0–14).
Why it matters: the activity gap
Sport isn’t just a pastime — for many kids it’s the main way they stay active. Yet historically fewer than a quarter of Australian children aged 5–14 (about 23%) have met the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day.
The Australian Sports Commission notes that playing sport in childhood provides lifelong benefits to physical, mental, social and economic wellbeing — and that children who play are more likely to stay active as adults and to have improved resilience and social connectedness. A regular, enjoyable sport is one of the simplest ways to help close that activity gap.
Where kids play football in Melbourne’s east
Melbourne’s eastern suburbs are well served for junior football — through local clubs, school programs and academies. You can browse activities by suburb on directories like the AroundSchools index, where Elevate Football Academy is listed among local providers.
Elevate Football Academy develops players aged 6–15 in Burwood East and across the eastern suburbs through small-group coaching, real match experience and mentorship. If you’re just starting out, see our guides to what age kids can start football and kids activities across the eastern suburbs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular sport for kids in Australia?
For children aged 9–14, soccer (football) is the number one organised sport, with about 378,000 participants according to the Australian Sports Commission (2025). Across all children, swimming is the most popular activity overall, with soccer second — and soccer is the most popular club-based team sport.
How many Australian children play organised sport?
An estimated 1.83 million children aged 0–14 (about 38%) take part in organised sport outside school hours at least once a week, according to the Australian Sports Commission (2025).
Why does playing sport matter for children?
The Australian Sports Commission notes that playing sport in childhood can provide lifelong benefits to physical, mental, social and economic wellbeing — and that children who play are more likely to stay active as adults and to have improved resilience and social connectedness.
Where do kids in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs play football?
Through local clubs and academies. Elevate Football Academy coaches players aged 6–15 in Burwood East and across the eastern suburbs, with small-group training and a Saturday match program. You can also browse local activities by suburb on directories like AroundSchools.
Sources
More guides for parents
Kids Activities in Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs
A parent's guide to after-school activities across the east — sport, music, tutoring and more.
Read guide →Kids Football Coaching in Melbourne
What good junior coaching looks like, and the eastern-suburbs areas we serve.
Read guide →Kids Football in Glen Waverley
Football and local activities for kids in Glen Waverley and nearby suburbs.
Read guide →What Age Can Kids Start Football?
A simple age-by-age guide for Melbourne parents, from first touches to match play.
Read guide →Give football a try
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