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{{Short description|Association football in Australia}} | |||
{{pp-move-indef}} | |||
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2016}} | {{Use Australian English|date=February 2016}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox sport overview | {{Infobox sport overview | ||
| title |
| title = Soccer in Australia | ||
| boxwidth |
| boxwidth = <!-- set width of infobox, default is 22em. must add units afterward, i.e. "25em" or "250px", not "22" or "250" --> | ||
| image |
| image = CG-MelbCricketGround-Pano.jpg | ||
| |
| image_size = 270px | ||
| caption = The ] playing at the ], May 2006 | |||
| image_alt = <!-- alt text, which will be seen when hovering over the image --> | |||
| union = ] (FA) | |||
| caption = The ] playing at the ], May 2006. | |||
| |
| country = ] | ||
| sport = Soccer | |||
| country = ] | |||
| registered = 1,232,726 (adult)<br />632,249 (child)<ref name="participation 2023/24" /> | |||
| sport = Football | |||
| noncountry |
| noncountry = <!-- other country this country represents --> | ||
| teamlabel1 |
| teamlabel1 = <!-- overrides the "National team" label with custom label --> | ||
| nationalteam |
| nationalteam = ]<br />] | ||
| teamlabel2 |
| teamlabel2 = <!-- overrides the "Representative team" label with customer label --> | ||
| repteam |
| repteam = <!-- overrides the representative team link, requires full wikitext syntax --> | ||
| nickname |
| nickname = ], ] | ||
| first |
| first = 7 August 1875 in Goodna, Queensland. | ||
| clubs = 14,021{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} | |||
| participation (total) = 1,960,000 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.smh.com.au/sport/football/football-is-closing-in-as-australias-most-popular-sport-20131111-2xcg0.html|title=Football is closing in as Australia's most popular sport|publisher=smh.com.au|date=12 November 2013|accessdate=7 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="Football Federation Australia">{{cite web|title=Football participation reaches 1.96 million Australians|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/article/Football-participation-reaches-1.96-million-Australians/78074|publisher=]|accessdate=13 November 2013|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20131113054839/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/article/Football-participation-reaches-1.96-million-Australians/78074|archivedate=13 November 2013}}</ref> | |||
| national_list = ]<br />]<br />]<br />] | |||
| clubs = 14,021{{cn|date=June 2018}} | |||
| club_list = ]<br />] (from 2025)<br />]<br />]<br /> ]<br />] | |||
| national_list = ]<br>]<br>] | |||
| |
| intl_list = ]<br />]<br />] | ||
| match = 114,000<br />] vs ]; ], ]<ref>{{cite book|first=James|last=Higham|title=Sport Tourism Destinations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HZF3pPDn-QgC&pg=PA99|year=2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-7506-5937-6|page=99}}</ref> (National teams)<br />99,382<br />] vs ]; ], ] (Club teams) | |||
| intl_list = ]<br>] | |||
| league = <!-- league audience record --> | |||
| match = 114,000<br>] vs ]; ], ]{{sfn|Higham|2012|p=99}} (National teams)<br>99,382<br>] vs ]; ], ] (Club teams) | |||
| |
| fan_org = <!-- fan organization --> | ||
| fan_org = <!-- fan organization --> | |||
}} | }} | ||
In ], ], also known as ] ], is the most played outdoor team sport,<ref>{{cite news|title=Australia's most popular sport: Landmark study|url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/football/2016/12/08/most-popular-sport-in-australia/|agency=The New Daily|date=28 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/6123-australian-sports-participation-rates-among-children-and-adults-december-2014-201503182151|title=The Top 20 sports played by Aussies young and old(er)|publisher=Roy Morgan |date=19 March 2015|access-date=9 February 2015}}</ref> and ranked in the top ten for television audience as of 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/5488-sports-viewing-on-tv-201403140213|title= AFL is clearly Australia's most watched Football Code, while V8 Supercars have the local edge over Formula 1 |publisher=Roy Morgan |date=19 March 2015|access-date=9 February 2015}}</ref> The national governing body of the sport is ] (FA) which comprises nine state and territory member federations, which oversee the sport within their respective region. The season in Australia is played during the summer, to avoid clashing with ] and ] which dominant spectator and media interest there. | |||
Modern |
Modern soccer was introduced in Australia in the late 19th century by mostly ] immigrants. The first club formed in the country, ], was founded on 3 August 1880 in ], while the oldest club in Australia currently in existence is ], formed in 1883 in ]. Wanderers were also the first known recorded team to play under the ]. A semi-professional national league, the ] (NSL), was introduced in 1977. The NSL was replaced by professional ], in 2004, which has contributed to a rise in popularity in the sport. Australia was a founding member of the ] (OFC) before moving to the ] (AFC) in 2006. The main professional leagues are the ], ] and the ] however foreign leagues such as the ], the ] and the ] are also popular. | ||
The men's and women's national teams, known as the ] and the ] respectively, compete globally. Australia cohosted the ] with New Zealand. The Matildas finished fourth in that tournament (Australia's best ever performance at any World Cup, male or female), and the majority of Australians watched them play on television or at the stadium. It had a major impact on Australian sport, and the phenomenon is commonly known as "]". | |||
A semi-professional national league, the ], was introduced in 1977. The NSL was replaced by a fully professional league, the A-League, in 2004, which has contributed to a rise in popularity in the sport. Australia was a founding member of the ] (OFC) before moving to the ] (AFC) in 2006. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
], 1909 |
] at ], 1909]] | ||
===19th century=== | |||
An early match took place at the ], located in ], on 7 August 1875, when a team of inmates and wards men from the asylum played against the visiting ] ] club; the rules of the match which clearly stated that the "ball should not be handled nor carried" was a direct reference to British Association Rules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18337426 |title=Football. Fourth match of the season. Brisbane club v. Woogaroo asylum. |publisher=The Queenslander |date=14 July 1975 |accessdate=31 August 2013}}</ref> | |||
An early match took place at the ], located in ] in suburban ], on 7 August 1875, when a team of inmates and wards men from the asylum played against the visiting ] ] club; the rules of the match which clearly stated that the "ball should not be handled nor carried" was a direct reference to British Association Rules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18337426 |title=Football. Fourth match of the season. Brisbane club v. Woogaroo asylum. |publisher=The Queenslander |date=14 July 1975 |access-date=31 August 2013}}</ref> | |||
A match was recorded to be played in ] on 10 May 1879, when members of the Cricketer's Club played a ] under ] Association Rules, which were adopted by the club.<ref name="Mercury">{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8977261 |title=NEW TOWN V. CRICKETERS. |publisher=The Mercury |date=26 May 1879 | |
A match was recorded to be played in ] on 10 May 1879, when members of the Cricketer's Club played a ] under ] Association Rules, which were adopted by the club.<ref name="Mercury">{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8977261 |title=NEW TOWN V. CRICKETERS. |publisher=The Mercury |date=26 May 1879 |access-date=31 August 2013}}</ref> The game was a return match to one played on 24 May by the clubs, under a variant of the ]; to prevent the disadvantage faced by the Cricketers, the clubs agreed that that Association rules would be adopted in the return match.<ref name="Mercury"/> | ||
The first recorded match in Sydney under the ] was contested between ] and members of the ] ] team at ] |
The first recorded match in Sydney under the ] was contested between ] and members of the ] ] team at ] Common on 14 August 1880.<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football" /> The Wanderers, considered the first soccer club in Australia, was established on 3 August 1880, by English-] ]. Later, in 1882, Fletcher formed the New South Wales English Football Association (also referred to as the South British Football Soccer Association), the very first administrative governing body of soccer within Australia and one of the first to be established outside the ].<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football" /> | ||
In 1883, ], the oldest existing club in Australia was founded; the club currently competes in the ] regional league.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.balgownierangers.com.au/history/history.htm|title=Balgownie Rangers |
In 1883, ], the oldest existing club in Australia was founded; the club currently competes in the ] regional league.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.balgownierangers.com.au/history/history.htm|title=Balgownie Rangers Soccer Club – Club History|year=2006|access-date=4 December 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060824063128/http://www.balgownierangers.com.au/history/history.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 24 August 2006}}</ref> Later that year, the first inter-colonial game was played at the ], between a representative ] team and one from the neighbouring colony of ].<ref>{{cite web|title=interstate soccer 1883| newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald | date=17 August 1883 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13542233?searchTerm=&searchLimits=l-publictag=interstate+soccer+1883|publisher=trove.nla.gov.au|access-date=18 August 2013}}</ref> | ||
As |
As soccer continued to grow throughout Australia, John Fletcher's New South Wales soccer association gave inspiration to other states to establish their own governing bodies for the sport. In 1884, Victoria formed its own association, the Anglo-Australian Football Association (now ]), as did ], in the Anglo-Queensland Football Association (now, ]), and Northern New South Wales, in the ''Northern District British Football Association'' (now, ]). In 1896, the Western Australian Soccer Football Association was formed. In 1900, a ]n association was formed, and later, the South Australian British Football Association was formed in 1902.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/football-south-africa-timeline-1862-2012 | title=Football in South Africa Timeline | access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref> | ||
===20th century=== | |||
It was not until 1911 that a governing body was formed to oversee football activities in the whole of Australia. The first such organisation was called the ''Commonwealth Football Association''.<ref>{{cite web|title=COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19961665|publisher=trove.nla.gov.au|accessdate=18 October 2013}}</ref> However, this body was superseded by the Australian Football Association, which was formed in 1921.<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football">{{cite web|url=http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/worldcup/timeline.shtml|title=Timeline of Australian Football|publisher=New South Wales Migration Heritage Centre, ]|year=2006|accessdate=20 December 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118030040/http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/worldcup/timeline.shtml|archivedate=18 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
It was not until 1911 that a governing body was formed to oversee soccer activities in the whole of Australia. The first such organisation was called the ''Commonwealth Football Association''.<ref>{{cite web|title=COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION|newspaper=Brisbane Courier |date=16 April 1914 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19961665|publisher=trove.nla.gov.au|access-date=18 October 2013}}</ref> However, this body was superseded by the Australian Soccer Association, which was formed in 1921.<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football">{{cite web|url=http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/worldcup/timeline.shtml|title=Timeline of Australian Football|publisher=New South Wales Migration Heritage Centre, ]|year=2006|access-date=20 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118030040/http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/worldcup/timeline.shtml|archive-date=18 January 2015}}</ref> | |||
Australia is regarded as the first country where ] were used for the first time when Sydney Leichardt and HMS Powerful players displayed numbers on their backs, in 1911.<ref |
Australia is regarded as the first country where ] were used for the first time when Sydney Leichardt and HMS Powerful players displayed numbers on their backs, in 1911.<ref> by Michael Millar, Virgin Books, 2012 – {{ISBN|978-0753540862}}</ref> One year later, numbering in soccer would be ruled as mandatory in ].<ref> by Gustavo Farías on ''La Voz del Interior'', 22 August 2013</ref> | ||
] | ] | ||
On 17 June 1922, the first Australian national representative |
On 17 June 1922, the first Australian national representative soccer team was constituted by the Australian Soccer Association to represent Australia for a tour of ]. During the tour the ] lost two out of the three matches against the newly formed ].<ref name="1922 tour">{{cite web|title=Australia Vs New Zealand 1922|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/museum/index.php/archive/129-australia-vs-new-zealand-1922|publisher=ozfootball.net|access-date=27 April 2013}}</ref> | ||
] | |||
After World War I, large numbers of ] and southern European arrived seeking opportunities in new industries across parts of Australia which led to establishing soccer as a major sport in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-08 |title=The Story of Football in Victoria: Part 4 {{!}} Football Victoria |url=https://www.footballvictoria.com.au/the-story-of-football-in-victoria-04 |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=www.footballvictoria.com.au |language=en}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
A distinct rise in popularity in New South Wales and Victoria, among other states, was linked to the ]. Migrant players and supporters were prominent, providing the sport with a new but distinct profile. Soccer served as a cultural gateway for many emigrants, acting as a social lubricant. Soccer transcended cultural and language barriers in communities which bridged the gap between minority communities and other classes within the country, thus bringing about a unique unity.<ref name="Bloomfield2003">{{cite book| first=John| last=Bloomfield| title=Australia's Sporting Success: The Inside Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NtWto0T5FMEC| year=2003| publisher=UNSW Press| isbn=978-0-86840-582-7}}</ref><ref name="Tamis2005">{{cite book|author=Anastasios Tamis|title=The Greeks in Australia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-DcAcG9FWs8C&pg=PA103|access-date=1 August 2012|date=30 May 2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-54743-7|pages=103–}}</ref> | |||
The most prominent soccer clubs in Australian cities during the 1950s and 1960s were based around ], all of which expanded rapidly at that time: ], ], ] and ] communities gave rise to most of the largest clubs, the most notable being ] (Greek-based), ] (Greek-based), ] (Italian-based), ] (Italian-based), ] (Croatian-based), ] (Croatian-based) and ] (Macedonian-based).]In 1956, Australia became a ] member through the Australian Soccer Association. Though Australia's membership was soon suspended in 1960 after disobeying FIFA mandate on recruiting foreign players without a transfer fee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=hay-ourwickedgame-2006 |url=http://dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU:30015957/hay-ourwickedgame-2006.pdf |website=dro.deakin.edu.au}}</ref> In 1961, the Australian Soccer Federation was formed and later admitted to FIFA in 1963, after outstanding fines had been paid. In 1966, Australia became founding members of the Oceania Football Federation (now ]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The World Cup Dream - Australian football timeline |url=https://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/worldcup/timeline.html |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au}}</ref> | |||
With ] and ]ans settlers it was immensely popular and this led to establishing football as a major sport in the country. | |||
Pre-1960s, competitive soccer in Australia was state-based. In 1962, the ] was established,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/auscuphist.html|title=Australia – List of Cup Winners|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}</ref> but its ambition of becoming an ] style knockout competition went unfulfilled with its demise in 1968. In 1977, the first national soccer competition, the ], was founded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/NSL.shtml |title=Oz Football NSL |publisher=Ozfootball.net |date=2022-04-18 |accessdate=2023-05-07}}</ref> | |||
A distinct rise in popularity in New South Wales and Victoria, among other states, was linked to the ]. Migrant players and supporters were prominent, providing the sport with a new but distinct profile. Football served as a cultural gateway for many emigrants, acting as a social lubricant. Football transcended cultural and language barriers in communities which bridged the gap between minority communities and other classes within the country, thus bringing about a unique unity.<ref name="Bloomfield2003">{{cite book|first=John|last=Bloomfield|title=Australia's Sporting Success: The Inside Story|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NtWto0T5FMEC|year=2003|publisher=UNSW Press|isbn=978-0-86840-582-7| ref = harv }}</ref><ref name="Tamis2005">{{cite book|author=Anastasios Tamis|title=The Greeks in Australia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-DcAcG9FWs8C&pg=PA103|accessdate=1 August 2012|date=30 May 2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-54743-7|pages=103–}}</ref> The most prominent football clubs in Australian cities during the 1950s and 1960s were based around ], all of which expanded rapidly at that time: ], ], ] and ] communities gave rise to most of the largest clubs, the most notable being ] (Greek-based), ] (Greek-based), ] (Italian-based), ] (Italian-based), ] (Croatian-based), ] (Croatian-based) and ] (Macedonian-based). | |||
Migrants continued to boost interest in and player for the sport in the 1970s and 1980s, especially from the ] and from the former ].<ref name=africanplayers2021>{{cite web | last=Chalmers | first=Max | title=Football's A-League is lighting up with a new generation of African-Australian players | publisher=ABC News| series= ] | date=22 June 2021 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-22/football-a-league-new-generation-african-australian-kusini-yengi/100225416 | access-date=3 July 2021}}</ref> | |||
===Creating national foundations=== | |||
In 1984, the ] was founded as a reserve and academy league to run in parallel to the National Soccer League. In 1996, the first national women's soccer competition, the ] was founded. The National Soccer League and those for women and youth flourished through the 1980s and early 1990s, though with the increasing departure of Australian players to overseas leagues.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}{{multiple image | |||
In 1956, Australia became a ] member through the Australian Football Association. Though Australia's membership was soon suspended in 1960 after disobeying FIFA mandate on recruiting foreign players without a transfer fee.<ref>http://dro.deakin.edu.au/eserv/DU:30015957/hay-ourwickedgame-2006.pdf</ref> In 1961, the Australian Football Federation was formed and later admitted to FIFA in 1963, after outstanding fines had been paid. In 1966, Australia became founding members of the Oceania Football Federation (now ]).{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} | |||
| footer = ]'s change in name and logo, removing itself from its Greek-ethnic ties. | |||
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Pre-1960s, competitive football in Australia was state-based. In 1962, the ] was established,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/auscuphist.html|title=Australia - List of Cup Winners|website=www.rsssf.com}}</ref> but its ambition of becoming an ] style knockout competition went unfulfilled with its demise in 1968. In 1977, the first national football competition, the ], was founded.<ref>http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/NSL.shtml</ref> In 1984, the ] was founded as a reserve and academy league to run in parallel to the National Football League. In 1996, the first national women's football competition, the ] was founded. The National Football League and those for women and youth flourished through the 1980s and early 1990s, though with the increasing departure of Australian players to overseas leagues. | |||
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Football reached notable popularity among Australian people during the second half of the 20th century. ], a prominent advocate for the sport, who was a member of the Australia national team at their first ] appearance in 1974, entitled his memoir ''Sheilas, Wogs, and Poofters'' (a reference to the ]: ], ], ]), giving an indication of how Warren considered the wider Australian community viewed "wogball".<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football" /> | |||
Soccer reached notable popularity among Australian people during the second half of the 20th century. ], a prominent advocate for the sport, who was a member of the Australia national team at their first ] appearance in 1974, entitled his memoir ''Sheilas, Wogs, and Poofters'' (a reference to the ]: ], ], ]), giving an indication of how Warren considered the wider Australian community viewed "wogball".<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football" /> | |||
In the mid-1990s, Football Australia (the governing body for the sport) attempted under the Chairmanship of ] to shift football into the Australian mainstream and away from direct club-level association with migrant roots. Many clubs across the country were required to change their names and badges to represent a more inclusive community.<ref>{{cite web|title=MARKETING MEETS MULTICULTURALISM: DAVID HILL’S NATIONAL MERCHANDISING PLAN, 1996-97|url=http://leopoldmethod.com.au/marketing-meets-multiculturalism-david-hills-national-merchandising-plan-1996-97-2/|publisher=Leopold Method|accessdate=21 December 2013}}</ref> | |||
In the mid-1990s, Soccer Australia (the governing body for the sport) attempted under the Chairmanship of ] to shift soccer into the Australian mainstream and away from direct club-level association with migrant roots. Many clubs across the country were required to change their names and badges to represent a more inclusive community.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marketing Meets Multiculturalism: David Hill's National Merchandising Plan, 1996-97|url=http://leopoldmethod.com.au/marketing-meets-multiculturalism-david-hills-national-merchandising-plan-1996-97-2/|publisher=Leopold Method|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233358/http://leopoldmethod.com.au/marketing-meets-multiculturalism-david-hills-national-merchandising-plan-1996-97-2/|archive-date=2 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
in the structure, governance and management of football in Australia led the restructure of ] (previously Australian Football Federation, Football Australia, Australia Football Association) and later in 2005, the succeeding relaunched national competition, the ]. The restructuring of the sport in Australia also saw the adoption of "football", in preference to "football", to align with the general international ].<ref name="football as football">{{cite web|title=Mainstream Aussie press finally adopting the term football as football seen as thing of the past|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/mainstream-aussie-press-finally-adopting-the-term-football-as-football-seen-as-thing-of-the-past/story-e6frfkp9-1226486030704|publisher=news.com.au|accessdate=21 December 2013}}</ref> Although the use of "football" was largely cultural, as part of an attempt to reposition the sport within Australia, there were also "practical and corporate reasons for the change", including a need for the sport to break away from the baggage left over from previous competitions.<ref name="football as football" /> However, the move created problems within the wider community, engendering confusion due to the naming conflict with other football codes, and creating conflict with other sporting bodies.<ref name="Rosenberga2009">Rosenberga, Buck Clifford. (2009). "The Australian football wars: fan narratives of inter‐code and intra‐code conflict". ''Football & Society''. 10:2. pp. 245-260.</ref> | |||
===21st century=== | |||
Australia ended a 32-year absent streak when the nation team qualified for the ]. The team's qualification and success in the tournament helped increased the profile and popularity of the sport in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the Australian Socceroos at the World Cup|url=http://www.topendsports.com/events/worldcupfootball/countries/australia/history.htm|publisher=topendsports.com|accessdate=24 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
The sport experienced major change in the country in 2003, after the then ], ], and the ] commissioned a ] by the Independent Soccer Review Committee. Its findings in the structure, governance and management of soccer in Australia led the restructure of ] (previously Australian Soccer Federation, Soccer Australia, Australia Soccer Association) and later in 2005, the succeeding relaunched national competition, the ]. | |||
The restructuring of the sport in Australia also saw the adoption of "football" by administrators, in preference to "soccer", to align with the general international ].<ref name="football as soccer">{{cite web|title=Mainstream Aussie press finally adopting the term football as soccer seen as thing of the past|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/mainstream-aussie-press-finally-adopting-the-term-football-as-soccer-seen-as-thing-of-the-past/story-e6frfkp9-1226486030704|publisher=News.com.au|access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref> Although the use of "football" was largely cultural, as part of an attempt to reposition the sport within Australia, there were also "practical and corporate reasons for the change", including a need for the sport to break away from the baggage left over from previous competitions.<ref name="football as soccer" /> However, the move created problems within the wider community, engendering confusion due to the naming conflict with other football codes, and creating conflict with other sporting bodies.<ref name="Rosenberga2009">Rosenberga, Buck Clifford. (2009). "The Australian football wars: fan narratives of inter‐code and intra‐code conflict". ''Soccer & Society''. 10:2. pp. 245-260.</ref> | |||
The national team qualified for second and third consecutive ]s in ] and ]; and placed second in the ]. The joining of ] to the A-League in 2012 saw a rise in interest for the league within Australia, particularly increasing ] interest <ref>{{Cite episode |title=Solskjaer, Western Sydney Wanderers and aspiring Bangladeshis |episodelink= |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014knxv |accessdate=20 April 2013 |series=World Football|network=BBC World Service |station= |city= |date=22 February 2013|minutes=28}}</ref> and re-engagement with disaffected Western Sydney football fans. Also, the formation of the ] in 2013 and subsequent restructuring of state leagues as part of the National Competition Review and Elite Player Pathway Review has paved the way for the development of the sport throughout the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Competition review and Elite Player Pathway Review|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-9385-0-0-0&sID=269940&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=22266699|publisher=foxsportspulse.com|accessdate=21 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FFA releases outcomes of National Competitions Review|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/ffa-releases-outcomes-of-national-competitions-review/47422|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|accessdate=21 December 2013}}</ref> The launch of the ] in 2014, has also similarly increased mainstream interest and grassroots development. | |||
Australia ended a 32-year absent streak when the nation team qualified for the ]. The team's qualification and success in the tournament helped increase the profile and popularity of the sport in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the Australian Socceroos at the World Cup|url=http://www.topendsports.com/events/worldcupsoccer/countries/australia/history.htm|publisher=topendsports.com|access-date=24 October 2013}}</ref> | |||
==Organisation== | |||
{{Main article|Football Federation Australia|Professional Footballers Australia}} | |||
The national team qualified for second and third consecutive ]s in ] and ]; and placed second in the ]. The joining of ] to the A-League in 2012 saw a rise in interest for the league within Australia, particularly increasing mainstream interest<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Solskjaer, Western Sydney Wanderers and aspiring Bangladeshis |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p014knxv |access-date=20 April 2013 |series=World Football|network=BBC World Service |date=22 February 2013|minutes=28}}</ref> and re-engagement with disaffected Western Sydney soccer fans. Also, the formation of the ] in 2013 and subsequent restructuring of state leagues as part of the National Competition Review and Elite Player Pathway Review has paved the way for the development of the sport throughout the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Competition review and Elite Player Pathway Review|url=http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-9385-0-0-0&sID=269940&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=22266699|publisher=foxsportspulse.com|access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FFA releases outcomes of National Competitions Review|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/ffa-releases-outcomes-of-national-competitions-review/47422|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref> The launch of the ] (then known as FFA Cup) in 2014 has also similarly increased mainstream interest and grassroots development.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} | |||
Football in Australia is governed by ] (FFA) which is currently a member of the ] (AFC) and the regional ] (AFF), since leaving the ] (OFC) in 2006. FFA is underpinned by nine ] which oversee all aspects of the sport within their respective region, including the organisation of state league and cup tournaments as opposed to national tournaments which are organised by FFA. Member federations are ], although ] is divided into a northern and southern federation.<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.northernnswfootball.com.au/index.php?id=4|publisher=northernnswfootball.com.au|accessdate=31 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
In the 21st century, a major migrant group furnishing new players in the A-League has been the ] community, with 34 players making an appearance in the ] season, up on 26 the previous year. These include ] and his brother, ], from ], and their friends, brothers ] and ].<ref name=africanplayers2021/> | |||
Former and current Australian professional football players are represented by the ] (PFA), a ] affiliated with the ] and a member of ], the global representative organisation for professional footballers.<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFPRO – The World Players’ Union|url=http://www.pfa.net.au/index.php?id=69|publisher=pfa.net.au|accessdate=31 May 2014}}</ref> The association tends to footballer's pay and conditions, and also protects footballers from unfair dismissal. | |||
In 2020, Football Federation Australia officially unveiled a plan called "''XI Principles for the future of Australian Football''", shortened as ''Vision 2035'', with the aim to restructure and expand football across the country, with the rebranding of the domestic league, establishment of a national second division, alignment with FIFA Domestic Match Calendar, restart and rebuilding of Australian football products (mainly by fixing the youth football development), reducing costs of football in the country, possibility of establishing promotion and relegation system, and expansion of women's football, with the aim to achieve the Vision 2035 for football in the country.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/xi-principles | title=XI Principles for the Future of Australian Football | date=2 July 2020 }}</ref> | |||
==Participation== | |||
According to ]'s Big Count in 2006, a total of 970,728 people in Australia participated in the sport, with 435,728 registered players, and 535,000 unregistered players.<ref>{{cite web|title=COUNTRY INFO Australia (AUS)|url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=aus/countryInfo.html|publisher=]|accessdate=31 August 2013}}</ref> These numbers were higher than the equivalents for other sport codes such as ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/436122/ERASS_Report_2010.PDF|title= Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sport|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |year= 2011|work= |publisher= Australian Government|page= 68|accessdate=22 March 2013}}</ref> In 2013, an audit on the sport by Gemba found that 1.96 million Australians were actively involved in the game as a player.<ref name="Football Federation Australia">{{cite web|title=Football participation reaches 1.96 million Australians|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/article/Football-participation-reaches-1.96-million-Australians/78074|publisher=]|accessdate=13 November 2013}}</ref> When coaches, referees and fans are included it is estimated that involvement with the sport is around 3.1 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=3.1 Million people involved in Football|url=http://m.smh.com.au/sport/football/football-is-closing-in-as-australias-most-popular-sport-20131111-2xcg0.html|publisher=smh.com.au|accessdate=28 August 2015}}</ref> | |||
In summer 2021, Football Australia officials announced a series of major reforms: the shift in calendar by aligning with Domestic Match Calendar and to avoid clashing with FIFA days so it could help the Socceroos to compete; establishment of a ]; club licensing framework; domestic transfer system; as well a potential adoption of promotion-relegation system, expected to be implemented by 2022–23.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/final-model-major-a-league-second-division-meeting-set-for-june-565022 | title='Final model': Major A-League second division meeting set for June }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/soccer/australia-aus/story/4441281/football-australia-adds-national-second-tier-to-football-pyramid-in-calendar-restructure| title = Football Australia adds national second tier to football pyramid in calendar restructure| date = 29 July 2021}}</ref> | |||
==Competitions== | |||
{{See also|Australian football league system}} | |||
] match between ] and ] at ], 3 November 2007.]] | |||
==Organisation== | |||
In Australia, domestic football competitions run all year, with the ] depending on the level of professionalism of the league. The professional league operates during the Australian ] and ]/] leagues compete during the Australian ]. | |||
{{Main article|Football Federation Australia|Professional Footballers Australia}} | |||
Soccer in Australia is governed by ] (FA) which is currently a member of the ] (AFC) and the regional ] (AFF), since leaving the ] (OFC) in 2006. | |||
Since 1977, the league system in Australia has involved one national top tier league controlled by the national body and many leagues that run below within each state, with no ] linking the two.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why not one national league?|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/howe-opinion-display/Why-not-one-national-league/57271|publisher=]|accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> As the third least ] in the world, Australia's large geographical area and the spread of the population, concentrated mainly around urban areas, is reason for a lack in national competition and a greater focus on state-based competition. | |||
FA is underpinned by nine ] which oversee all aspects of the sport within their respective region, including the organisation of state league and cup tournaments as opposed to national tournaments which are organised by FA. Member federations are ], although ] is divided into a northern and southern federation.<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://www.northernnswfootball.com.au/index.php?id=4|publisher=northernnswfootball.com.au|access-date=31 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
The ] (NSL) was established in ], as the first national top tier football competition in Australia, with teams based in five (eventually six) states.<ref>{{cite web|title=A brief history of the NSL (Part I)|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/03/31/a-brief-history-of-the-nsl-part-i/|publisher=theroar.com.au|accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> In 2004, the NSL was disbanded and replaced by the ].<ref name="A-League launch">{{cite web|title=New national football league launched|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/11/01/1099262765210.html|publisher=smh.com.au|accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> The first season of the new league began in ].<ref name="A-League launch" /> The ] was also launched in 2008 to provide a national youth development league for A-League clubs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Youth league set to kick off|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/youth-league-set-to-kick-off/story-e6frf4gl-1111115721330#.UjEXM9tXtAI|publisher=foxsports.com.au|accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> In 2013, the ] (NPL) was established as a national second tier banner of the sport, underpinning the ].<ref name="National Premier Leagues announcement">{{cite web|title=National Premier Leagues|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/nationalpremierleagues|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|accessdate=13 February 2013}}</ref> The NPL consists of the top-tier league competitions within each state federation (currently eight) in Australia.<ref name="National Premier Leagues announcement"/> The eight league winners compete in a finals series at the conclusion of the regular season to determine the champion. | |||
Former and current Australian professional soccer players are represented by the ] (PFA), a ] affiliated with the ] and a member of ], the global representative organisation for professional soccer players.<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFPRO – The World Players' Union|url=http://www.pfa.net.au/index.php?id=69|publisher=pfa.net.au|access-date=31 May 2014}}</ref> The association tends to soccer players' pay and conditions, and also protects soccer players from unfair dismissal. | |||
The ] is Australia's national knock-out cup competition involving all teams in the ] and other teams qualifying via preliminary competitions. Previous attempts at a national knock-out cup competition include the ] and the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=FFA Cup set for 2014 kick off|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/ffa-cup-set-for-2014-kick-off/73770|publisher=]|accessdate=2 September 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215145937/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/ffa-cup-set-for-2014-kick-off/73770|archivedate=15 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> As well as the national FFA Cup, each State also has its own cup competition run by its respective State football federation. Some State competitions restrict the participants only to professional top flight or semi-professional clubs, whilst others have more open entries via invitation or qualifying rounds. | |||
==League system== | |||
Similarly to the men's national competition, the women's ] replaced the long dormant ] as the women's national top tier league in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Australian Womens National Football League|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/WNSL/WNSL.shtml|publisher=ozfootball.net|accessdate=12 September 2013}}</ref> The women's league system also involves one national top tier league controlled by the national body and many leagues that run below within each state, with no promotion or relegation linking the two. | |||
{{main|Australia soccer league system}} | |||
==Men |
===A-League Men=== | ||
The ] was founded in 2005 after Australia's former top-flight national league ] was replaced. The A-League Men is contested between 12 clubs. The league covers the only competition controlled by the ] and the only professional league in Australia. | |||
National Men's football teams of various age groups represent Australia in international competition. Australian national teams historically competed in the ], though since ]'s move in 2006, Australian teams have competed in ] competitions. | |||
===National Second Division=== | |||
The ], nicknamed the "Socceroos", represents Australia in international football. Australia is a four-time OFC champion, one time Asian champion and ] for 2006. The Men's team has represented Australia at the ] tournaments in ], ], ], ], and ]. | |||
The ] is the upcoming Australian second-tier professional division, and is expected to begin from 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thechampionship.com.au/in-a-nutshell.html|title=In a Nutshell|website=The Championship}}</ref> | |||
===National Premier Leagues=== | |||
In the Olympic arena, Australia first fielded a men's team at the ] in Melbourne. Australia did not compete again in the Olympic arena, until the ]. Apart from ], where it failed to qualify a team, Australia has competed in all Olympic Men's Football competitions since 1988.<ref name="AOC2">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.olympics.com.au/sports/football|title=Australian Olympic Committee Sports: Football|publisher=]|accessdate=2014-06-16}}</ref> | |||
The ] has 90 clubs, divided into eight divisions by state. Despite the organisational split, promotion and relegation does not take place between the ] and NPL. | |||
===State-league soccer=== | |||
There are also a number of national youth teams: ], nicknamed the "Joeys"; ], nicknamed the "Young Socceroos"; and the ], nicknamed the "Olyroos". The latter is considered to be a feeder team for the national team. | |||
Below the NPL, is what is commonly known as "state-league". This refers to clubs outside of NPL, although they still play in organised league competitions for each state in the ]. | |||
===District soccer=== | |||
In addition there is a ], nicknamed the "Beach Socceroos", which represents Australia in international ] and a ], nicknamed the "Pararoos", which competes in international ]. | |||
There are many district leagues and soccer clubs in Australia, examples include NSW districts ], ], Eastern Suburbs with their own semi-professional leagues with clubs from their respective districts. | |||
== |
===Youth leagues=== | ||
Many club sides have youth teams. The top level of youth soccer in Australia is the ], founded for all A-League Men clubs that have Youth sides. The league, which currently has 10 teams, is divided into two groups each with five teams. The winners of both groups contest the end-of-season ] to decide the league champions. | |||
{{Further information|Women's football in Australia}} | |||
==Cup competitions== | |||
The participation of Australian women in football was first recorded in the early 1920s.<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football" /> It has since become one of the country's most popular women's team sports. As with the men's game, the women's game in Australia saw a large expansion following the ], though it is only in recent years that ] has gained momentum, with such factors as the creation of the ] and the success of the ] nicknamed the "Matildas" aiding the increasing popularity of the game.<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Football women are in a league of their own on|url=http://www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/life_leisure/football_women_are_in_league_of_I4ddgPo6dSX6s0V2HnyRDM|publisher=]|accessdate=20 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Women's football on the rise|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/11/15/womens-football-on-the-rise/|publisher=theroar.com.au|accessdate=20 December 2013}}</ref> | |||
There are several cup competitions for clubs at different levels of the soccer pyramid. The only major cup competitions are the ]. | |||
* The ], first held in 2014, is the only major cup competition in Australia. It is open to around 700 clubs in levels 1–9 of the soccer pyramid. | |||
Women's football was added to the Olympic program in 1996, with Australia first fielding a Women's team at ]. Australia fielded a team at the ] Olympics, but did not qualify for the final Olympic tournament again until ].<ref name="AOC2"/> | |||
* The ], first held in 1962, is a ] cup played through all levels of Capital Football teams. | |||
* The ], first held in 1991, is a ] cup played through all levels of teams from the NSW league system. | |||
* The ], first held in 1894, is the oldest knockout competition in Australia and is played through Brisbane teams below the National Premier Leagues. | |||
* The ], first held in 1909, is a ] cup open to all clubs from Victoria in the ]. | |||
* The ], first held in 1981, is an annual tournament held in the region for local team across all levels of Victorian league system. | |||
There have also been other cup competitions which are no longer run: | |||
==Variations== | |||
{{Further information|Futsal in Australia}} | |||
* ] (1962–1968) was for all teams from state leagues. | |||
], an indoor variant of football, was introduced in Australia in the early 1970s and soon gained popularity after a wet period during the winter football season forced players indoors where they took up the new sport.<ref>{{cite web|title=Futsalroos History|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/futsalroos/history|publisher=]|accessdate=25 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History of Futsal|url=http://www.aussieindoorsports.com.au/company-profile/history-of-futsal/|publisher=aussieindoorsports.com.au|accessdate=25 January 2014}}</ref> | |||
* ] (1977–1997) was for all teams that participated in a season of the ]. | |||
* ] (2005–2009) had teams from the ]. | |||
== |
==Participation== | ||
According to Ausplay in 2024, there were 1,232,726 adults and 632,249 children playing the sport of which about a quarter were female with an overall participation per capita of 6.9% making it the most participated team sport.<ref name="participation 2023/24" /> | |||
Pay television is the predominant outlet for both domestic and international football in Australia. Some games can also be heard on local radio stations. The ] which controls what must be kept on free to air television in Australia includes only the ] games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/LegislativeInstrumentCompilation1.nsf/0/DDCBE7E13B0C054CCA256FCD001DDF08/$file/BroadServEventsNotice2004_22032005.pdf|format=PDF|title= Broadcasting Services (Events) Notice (No. 1) 2004}}</ref> The A-League will be added to the anti-siphoning list, but not until 2014 in order to prevent a breach of contract on the part of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/166576/Socceroos-games-to-be-added-to-anti-siphoning-list |title=Socceroos games to be added to anti-siphoning list |publisher=Sportbusiness.com |date= |accessdate=26 July 2011}}</ref> | |||
A ]120 million, seven-year broadcasting deal between FFA and ] gave the Australian sports channel group exclusive rights from 2007 to all ] internationals, all ] and ] fixtures, ] qualifiers through the ], and all ] matches.<ref name="historicdeal">{{cite news|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/default.aspx?s=aus_news_feat_press_releases_item&id=9956|title=Historic deal to secure Football's future|date=3 May 2006}}</ref> In 2013, FFA signed a joint ]160 million, four-year deal with Fox Sports and ] for the A-League.<ref name="Fox/SBS A-League">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/11/sbs-fox-sports-in-broadcasting-deal-with-ffa.html|title=SBS / FOX Sports in broadcasting deal with FFA|publisher=www.tvtonight.com.au|accessdate=19 November 2012}}</ref> | |||
Since 1986, SBS has been the official Australian broadcast rights holder for the ], and the television network will continue to hold the rights to the competition until 2022.<ref name="SBS World Cup">{{cite web|title=SBS to broadcast FIFA World Cups in 2018 and 2022|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1078657/sbs-to-broadcast-fifa-world-cups-in-2018-and-2022|publisher=theworldgame.sbs.com.au|accessdate=11 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
The ] has often been subject to criticism for its perceived negative attitude towards football in Australia.<ref>.</ref> | |||
According to ]'s Big Count in 2006, a total of 970,728 people in Australia participated in the sport, with 435,728 registered players, and 535,000 unregistered players.<ref>{{cite web|title=COUNTRY INFO Australia (AUS)|url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=aus/countryInfo.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626053650/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=aus/countryInfo.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 June 2007|publisher=]|access-date=31 August 2013}}</ref> These numbers were higher than the equivalents for other sports such as ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/436122/ERASS_Report_2010.PDF|title= Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sport|author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|year= 2011|publisher= Australian Government|page= 68|access-date= 22 March 2013|archive-url= https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20111012130500/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/77361/20111013-0005/www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/436122/ERASS_Report_2010.pdf|archive-date= 12 October 2011|url-status= dead}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 2013, an audit on the sport by Gemba found that 1.96 million Australians were actively involved in the game as a player.<ref name="Football Federation Australia">{{cite web|title=Football participation reaches 1.96 million Australians|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/article/Football-participation-reaches-1.96-million-Australians/78074|publisher=]|access-date=13 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113054839/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/article/Football-participation-reaches-1.96-million-Australians/78074|archive-date=13 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> When coaches, referees and fans are included it is estimated that involvement with the sport is around 3.1 million.<ref>{{cite web|title=3.1 Million people involved in Soccer|date=11 November 2013 |url=http://m.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/soccer-is-closing-in-as-australias-most-popular-sport-20131111-2xcg0.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=28 August 2015}}</ref> | |||
==Seasons== | |||
The following articles are an incomplete list of Seasons in Football in Australia. Each article covers the national leagues played that season as well as the highest state based league played in the first calendar year, as well as games played by all national teams during that period. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="sortable wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
!| Region/State/Territory | |||
|'''2000s''' | |||
!| Overview | |||
|] | |||
!| Adult players 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiZGU1YWFhZDgtMmRhZi00YTgyLThhMzItYjc2ODk5NTg0MTg1IiwidCI6IjhkMmUwZjRjLTU1ZjItNGNiMS04ZWU3LWRhNWRkM2ZmMzYwMCJ9 |title=Ausplay Football Soccer Participation by State |publisher=App.powerbi.com |date= |accessdate=2023-05-07}}</ref> || Adult players 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiODEzOWUzNmEtYTg5MS00NzIzLWE3YmUtYWE0Yzg1ZDM1ZTJjIiwidCI6IjhkMmUwZjRjLTU1ZjItNGNiMS04ZWU3LWRhNWRkM2ZmMzYwMCJ9 |title=Ausplay Football Soccer Participation by State |publisher=App.powerbi.com |date= |accessdate=2023-05-07}}</ref> || Adult players 2023/2024<ref name="participation 2023/24">{{Cite web | url=https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/research/ausplay/results#data_tables_br_july_2023_june_2024 | title=AusPlay results | first=Australian Sports Commission; jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia; corporateName=Australian Sports | last=Commission | website=Sport Australia | access-date=2024-11-05}}</ref> | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| {{flagicon|Australia}} National || || 1,143,640 || 1,157,050 || 1,232,726 | |||
|'''2010s''' | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| {{flagicon|New South Wales}} ] || ] || 440,470 || 477,174 || 471,480 | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| {{flagicon|Victoria}} ] || ] || 250,613 || 243,956 || 227,213 | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| {{flagicon|Queensland}} ] || ] || 232,668 || 211,923 || 217,749 | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| {{flagicon|Western Australia}} ] || ] || 103,636 || 111,085 || 117,248 | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
| {{flagicon|South Australia}} ] || ] || 51,601 || 61,705 || 84,263 | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
| {{flagicon|Tasmania}} ] || ] || 17,984 || 15,522 || 14,594 | |||
|- | |||
| {{flagicon|Australian Capital Territory}} ] || ] || 25,210 || 25,905 || 28,916 | |||
|- | |||
| {{flagicon|Northern Territory}} ] || ] || 8,845 || 9,780 || 11,457 | |||
|} | |} | ||
==Men's national teams== | |||
== Notable modern Australian players == | |||
National Men's soccer teams of various age groups represent Australia in international competition. Australian national teams historically competed in the ], though since ]'s move in 2006, Australian teams have competed in ] competitions. | |||
] with Australia in 2009]] | |||
] | |||
The ], nicknamed the "Socceroos", represents Australia in international soccer. Australia is a four-time OFC champion, one time Asian champion and ] for 2006. The Men's team has represented Australia at the ] tournaments in ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
] | |||
In the Olympic arena, Australia first fielded a men's team at the ] in Melbourne. Australia did not compete again in the Olympic arena, until the ]. Apart from ], where it failed to qualify a team, Australia has competed in all Olympic Men's Football competitions since 1988.<ref name="AOC2">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.olympics.com.au/sports/football|title=Australian Olympic Committee Sports: Football|publisher=]|access-date=2014-06-16}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
There are also a number of national youth teams: ], nicknamed the "Joeys"; ], nicknamed the "Young Socceroos"; and the ], nicknamed the "Olyroos". The latter is considered to be a feeder team for the national team. | |||
] | |||
In addition there is a ], nicknamed the "Beach Socceroos", which represents Australia in international ] and a ], nicknamed the "Pararoos", which competes in international ]. | |||
] | |||
==Women's soccer== | |||
] | |||
{{Further|Women's soccer in Australia}} | |||
The participation of Australian women in soccer was first recorded in the early 1920s.<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football" /> It has since become one of the country's most popular women's team sports. As with the men's game, the women's game in Australia saw a large expansion following the ], though it is only in recent years that ] has gained momentum, with such factors as the creation of the ] and the success of the ] nicknamed "the Matildas" aiding the increasing popularity of the game.<ref name="Timeline of Australian Football" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Football women are in a league of their own on|url=http://www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/life_leisure/football_women_are_in_league_of_I4ddgPo6dSX6s0V2HnyRDM|publisher=]|access-date=20 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Women's football on the rise|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/11/15/womens-football-on-the-rise/|publisher=theroar.com.au|access-date=20 December 2013}}</ref> In 2021 the W-League was renamed to A-League Women.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-09-28 |title=The W-League is no more — say hello to A-League Men and A-League Women |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-29/australian-football-leagues-rebrand-a-league-men-and-women/100499370 |access-date=2024-06-25 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
Women's soccer was added to the Olympic program in 1996, with Australia first fielding a Women's team at ]. Australia fielded a team at the ] Olympics, but did not qualify for the final Olympic tournament again until ].<ref name="AOC2"/> | |||
] | |||
Australia cohosted the ] with New Zealand. The Matildas finished fourth in that tournament (Australia's best ever performance at any World Cup, male or female), and the majority of Australians watched them play on television or at the stadium. It had a major impact on Australian sport, and the phenomenon is commonly known as "]". | |||
] | |||
In April 2024, the ] season set the record for the most attended season of any women's sport in Australian history, with the season recording a total attendance of 284,551 on 15 April 2024,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tu |first1=Jessie |title=Women's A-League games most attended season of women's sport in Australian history |url=https://womensagenda.com.au/life/sport/womens-a-league-games-most-attended-season-of-womens-sport-in-australian-history/ |website=Women's Agenda |date=15 April 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History made! 🥳⚽️🇦🇺 The most successful season in Liberty A-League history has set a new benchmark for women's sport in Australia. |url=https://www.facebook.com/aleagues/posts/pfbid026jZEvemRaM4aYYbCn3c9ToRRrATbwMMGiGjW8Wojjh5Q5eyj1ZJbSkhfCBPJnFYnl |website=Facebook |publisher=A-Leagues |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Women's A-League down to four contenders after first stage of finals series |url=https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/04/14/womens-a-league-down-to-four-contenders-after-first-stage-of-finals-series/ |website=Friends of Football |date=14 April 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=INVEST IN WOMEN'S SPORT. The Tillies effect 😤 In a record-breaking week one of the Finals Series, the A-League became the most attended season, of any women's sport, in Australia ever. Surpassing the AFLW 2023 cumulative attendance total for the regular season + finals series. |url=https://www.instagram.com/thefemaleathleteproject/p/C5wsDaORaqg/ |website=Instagram |publisher=The Female Athlete Project |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> and finishing with a final total attendance of 312,199.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thank you for making season 2023/24 of the Liberty A-League the biggest in the 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🇦🇺❤️ A 127% increase on last year. Just incredible. |url=https://www.facebook.com/aleagues/posts/pfbid02As4uLdNQMiSkuWeaeC6kTBv926TMqJdQ5MSKihGd7TubKEstb4tFPMKj5UJDbiSfl |website=Facebook |publisher=A-Leagues |access-date=9 May 2024}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
==Stadiums in Australia== | |||
] | |||
{{further|List of soccer stadiums in Australia}} | |||
The ] is the largest stadium in the country with a capacity of 100,000. It is owned by the ] and stages some of Australia's home matches. ] is the largest stadium with a rectangular configuration, followed by ] and ]. | |||
] | |||
==Variations== | |||
] | |||
{{Further|Futsal in Australia}} | |||
], an indoor variant of soccer, was introduced in Australia in the early 1970s and soon gained popularity after a wet period during the winter football season forced players indoors where they took up the new sport.<ref>{{cite web|title=Futsalroos History|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/futsalroos/history|publisher=]|access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History of Futsal|url=http://www.aussieindoorsports.com.au/company-profile/history-of-futsal/|publisher=aussieindoorsports.com.au|access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
==Media coverage== | |||
] | |||
Pay television is the predominant outlet for both domestic and international soccer in Australia. Some games can also be heard on local radio stations. The ] which controls what must be kept on free to air television in Australia includes only specific international matches, including all matches at the ] and ] featuring Australia as well as both the ] and the ]. | |||
In 2007, a ]120 million, seven-year broadcasting deal between FFA and ] gave the subscription television exclusive rights to all ] internationals, all ] and ] fixtures, ] qualifiers through the ], and all ] matches.<ref name="historicdeal">{{cite news|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/default.aspx?s=aus_news_feat_press_releases_item&id=9956|title=Historic deal to secure Football's future|date=3 May 2006}}</ref> In 2013, FFA signed a joint ]160 million, four-year deal with Fox Sports and ] for the A-League.<ref name="Fox/SBS A-League">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/11/sbs-fox-sports-in-broadcasting-deal-with-ffa.html|title=SBS / FOX Sports in broadcasting deal with FFA|date=19 November 2012 |publisher=tvtonight.com.au|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> SBS would show a delayed simulcast for the second round of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-11 |title=2018 FIFA World Cup: Socceroos qualifiers on SBS {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2015/06/2018-fifa-world-cup-socceroos-qualifiers-on-sbs.html |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref> before the Nine Network broadcast the live simulcast rights for the third round and intercontinental play-offs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nine Strikes Deal To Broadcast Socceroos |url=https://www.nineforbrands.com.au/media-release/nine-strikes-deal-to-broadcast-socceroos/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Nine for Brands |language=en-AU}}</ref> In 2017, Fox Sports renewed its deal with FFA for a further six years, with ] simulcasting one A-League match each week.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-01 |title=A-League broadcast deal: Channel Ten, Fox Sports to take Australian football to more fans than ever |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/aleague-broadcast-deal-channel-ten-fox-sports-to-take-australian-football-to-more-fans-than-ever/news-story/f7bab99f30a4657f18828ea6333a57d4 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref> ] would later receive the simulcast rights for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=KEEPUP |date=2019-10-03 |title=ABC TV becomes Free-to-Air Broadcast Partner of the Hyundai A-League |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/abc-tv-becomes-free-air-broadcast-partner-hyundai-a-league-westfield-w-league-caltex-socceroos/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=A-Leagues |language=en-AU}}</ref> In 2020, Fox Sports terminated its contract following financial losses from the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samios |first=Vince Rugari, Zoe |date=2020-06-18 |title=Fox terminates A-League deal but could still show rest of season |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/fox-sports-reviewing-ffa-deal-after-taking-down-a-league-content-20200618-p553sg.html |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> ] currently holds the broadcasting rights for the ] and AFC Champions League competitions until the end of the 2025/26 season,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Football needs to be more accessible for fans in Australia - improved A-League broadcast deal vital for growth |url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2024/05/23/football-needs-to-be-more-accessible-for-fans-in-australia-therefore-an-improved-a-league-broadcast-deal-is-vital-for-growth/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Roar |language=en-US}}</ref> along with all Socceroos and Matildas matches until 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaspan |first=Vince Rugari, Calum |date=2024-08-27 |title=Matildas, Socceroos to remain on Network 10 for next five years |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/matildas-socceroos-to-remain-on-network-10-for-next-five-years-20240827-p5k5n2.html |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> Network 10 currently holds simulcast rights for some matches. | |||
] | |||
Since 1986, SBS has been the official Australian broadcast rights holder for the ], and the television network will continue to hold the rights to the competition until 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SBS remains home of the FIFA World Cup™, secures exclusive FIFA World Cup 2026™ rights |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/fifa-world-cup-2026/article/sbs-remains-home-of-the-fifa-world-cup-secures-exclusive-fifa-world-cup-2026-rights/kaoi12hhk |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=SBS Sport |language=en}}</ref> The ] broadcast sixteen matches of the ], including exclusive coverage of the final, and would also have shown all Australian matches had the Socceroos qualified.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-06-20 |title=SBS always on the ball |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/sbs-always-on-the-ball-20020620-gduba8.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> Similarly, ] briefly held exclusive rights to every game of the ] before relinquishing them to SBS due to technical issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duke |first=Jennifer |date=2018-06-28 |title=After Optus Sport fail, SBS to simulcast rest of 2018 World Cup |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/after-optus-sport-fail-sbs-to-simulcast-rest-of-2018-world-cup-20180628-p4zoaf.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
] is Australia's primary broadcaster of foreign soccer leagues such as the ] and the ], along with the ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samios |first=Vince Rugari, Zoe |date=2021-11-18 |title=Optus Sport spends $600m to retain Premier League rights until 2028 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/six-more-years-optus-sport-retains-premier-league-rights-until-2028-20211119-p59aaz.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> From 2016 to 2019, SBS held simulcast rights to one Premier League game per round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SBS strike EPL deal with Optus |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/sbs-strike-epl-deal-with-optus/oqmwdyopx |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=SBS Sport |language=en}}</ref> ], which the Nine Network owns, holds the broadcast rights to the ], ] and ] competitions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-09 |title=Stan strikes new Champions League rights deal |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/stan-strikes-new-champions-league-rights-deal-20230509-p5d6xj |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
==Support== | |||
] | |||
Soccer is a widely supported sport in Australia, with most Australians following the Socceroos and the Matildas. Many Australians also follow an A-League club and/or other foreign clubs, most commonly English clubs that play in either the ] or the ].{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} | |||
Many Australians, male and female, play for foreign clubs. The majority of both Socceroos and Matildas players play for clubs outside Australia, mostly for clubs in England. As of the ], ] play in the ] (WSL),<ref>https://sport.optus.com.au/news/womens-super-league/os71856/matildas-wsl-australians-14-2023-24-season-foord-fowler-kerr</ref> with ] in the Premier League. | |||
] | |||
] is the first ever Australian to manage a Premier League club, having managed ] since 2023. He has heavily contributed to the club's rising popularity in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/postecoglou-australia-tottenham-latest-news-2023-b1087374.html |title=Tottenham: How 'Ange-mania' took over Australia after Postecoglou's move to Spurs| first=Dan |last=Kilpatrick|date=13 June 2023|work=The Evening Standard}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4702598/2023/07/20/tottenham-postecoglou-australia/ |title=Tottenham in Australia: 'Spurs and Ange Postecoglou Could Go Stratospheric' |work=New York Times |date=20 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/sport/the-aussies-taking-charge-at-an-english-soccer-icon-20240318-p5fddt |title=The Aussies taking charge at an English soccer icon |first=Zoe |last=Samios |date=27 March 2024 |work=Financial Review }}</ref> | |||
] | |||
===Most supported clubs=== | |||
] | |||
====A-League==== | |||
] | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
! colspan="2" | ] (2023)<ref>https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9248-a-league-supporter-ladder-2023-002</ref> | |||
|- | |||
! Club | |||
! Supporters | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 401,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 595,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 177,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 69,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 281,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 590,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 207,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 441,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 693,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 59,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 238,000 | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 66,000 | |||
|} | |||
====Premier League==== | |||
] | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
! colspan="2" | Online survey (], 2024)<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAnAustralian/comments/1fspuxd/most_popular_premier_league_club_in_australia/</ref> | |||
|- | |||
! Club | |||
! % | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 17.2% | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 6.9% | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 5.2% | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 19.0% | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 5.2% | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 6.9% | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 20.7% | |||
|- | |||
| Other | |||
| 18.9% | |||
|} | |||
==Seasons in Australian soccer== | |||
] | |||
The following articles are an incomplete list of Seasons in Soccer in Australia since 1884. Each article covers the leagues and competitions played that season, as well as games played by all national teams during that period. National soccer in Australia was not played until the ] as the first 78 seasons only played regional soccer. | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1880s''' | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|1886 | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1890s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1900s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1910s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1920s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1930s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1940s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1950s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1960s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1970s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1980s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] / ] | |||
|- | |||
|'''1990s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''2000s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''2010s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|- | |||
|'''2020s''' | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
|] | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|} | |||
===Seasons in Top Flight{{clarify|date=May 2022}}=== | |||
] | |||
53 teams have taken part in 47 ] and A-League seasons that have been played from the ] until the ]. The teams in bold compete in the A-League Men currently. | |||
{{div col}} | |||
] | |||
* '''30''' seasons: ''']'''<ref>Competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 to 1986 and 1988 as Brisbane Lions</ref> | |||
* '''28''' seasons: ], ] | |||
* '''27''' seasons: ], ''']''', ] | |||
* '''23''' seasons: ''']''', ] | |||
* '''21''' seasons: ], ] | |||
* '''20''' seasons: ''']''' | |||
* '''19''' seasons: ''']''', ''']''', ''']''', ] | |||
* '''17''' seasons: ], ''']''' | |||
* '''14''' seasons: ], ''']''', ] | |||
* '''13''' seasons: ], ], ] | |||
* '''12''' seasons: ''']''' | |||
* '''11''' seasons: ] | |||
* '''10''' seasons: ], ] | |||
* '''9''' seasons: ], ] | |||
* '''8''' seasons: ] | |||
* '''7''' seasons: ], ], ], ] | |||
* '''6''' seasons: ], ] | |||
* '''5''' seasons: ], ], ''']''' | |||
* '''4''' seasons: ], ''']''' | |||
* '''3''' seasons: ], ], ] | |||
* '''2''' seasons: ], ], ], ], ] | |||
* '''1''' seasons: ], ], ], ] | |||
{{div col end}} | |||
==Largest Australian soccer stadiums by capacity== | |||
] | |||
{{further|List of soccer stadiums in Australia}} | |||
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" | |||
] | |||
|- | |||
! scope="col" style="width:200px;"| Stadium | |||
! scope="col" style="width:100px;"| Image | |||
! scope="col" style="width:100px;"| City | |||
! scope="col" style="width:65px;"| Capacity | |||
! scope="col" style="width:235px;"| Team(s) | |||
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|100,024}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stadiumstomp.com/about/the-stadiums/mcg|title=MCG - Stadium Stomp|website=stadiumstomp.com|access-date=21 February 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ]<br>] | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|83,500}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://accorstadium.com.au/footer/about-us/our-history|title=Our History - Accor Stadium|work=]|access-date=21 February 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ]<br>] | |||
| Commercially known as ''Accor Stadium''. | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|65,000}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://optusstadium.com.au/the-stadium/fact-sheets/seating-capacity|title=Seating Capacity|work=]|access-date=21 February 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| Commercially known as ''Optus Stadium''. | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|56,347}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/marvel-stadium|title=Marvel Stadium – Austadiums|website=austadiums.com|access-date=21 February 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ]<br>] | |||
| Commercially known as ''Marvel Stadium''. | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|53,500}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/adelaide-oval|title=Adelaide Oval – Austadiums|website=austadiums.com|access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|52,500}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://suncorpstadium.com.au/about-us/about-the-stadium.aspx|title=Suncorp Stadium - About The Stadium|work=]|access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ]<br>]<br>] | |||
| Commercially known as ''Suncorp Stadium''. | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|48,500}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qsac.com.au/Facilities/Main-Stadium|title=QSAC - Main Stadium|work=]|access-date=15 March 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|48,000}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/sydney-cricket-ground-s1851|title=Sydney Cricket Ground – Sydney Sixers|website=stadiumjourney.com|date=20 February 2023 |access-date=14 March 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|42,500}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://infrastructure.nsw.gov.au/projects-nsw/sydney-football-stadium-redevelopment|title=Sydney Football Stadium Redevelopment - Infrastructure NSW|website=infrastructure.nsw.gov.au|access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ]<br>]<br>] | |||
| Commercially known as ''Allianz Stadium''. | |||
|- | |||
! scope="row" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | ] | |||
| style="text-align:center;" | {{nts|42,500}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thegabba.com.au/about-us/about-the-stadium.aspx|title=Gabba - About Us|work=]|access-date=14 March 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| | |||
|} | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
{{Portal|Australia|soccer}} | |||
===Overview by state or territory=== | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
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Latest revision as of 02:23, 25 December 2024
Association football in Australia
Soccer in Australia | |
---|---|
The Australian national team playing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, May 2006 | |
Country | Australia |
Governing body | Football Australia (FA) |
National team(s) | Australia men's national soccer team Australia women's national soccer team |
Nickname(s) | Socceroos, Matildas |
First played | 7 August 1875 in Goodna, Queensland. |
Registered players | 1,232,726 (adult) 632,249 (child) |
Clubs | 14,021 |
National competitions | |
FIFA World Cup FIFA Women's World Cup AFC Asian Cup AFC Women's Asian Cup | |
Club competitions | |
A-League Men National Second Division (from 2025) A-League Women A-League Youth National Premier Leagues Australia Cup | |
International competitions | |
FIFA Club World Cup AFC Champions League AFC Cup | |
Audience records | |
Single match | 114,000 Spain vs Cameroon; Stadium Australia, 30 September 2000 (National teams) 99,382 Real Madrid vs Manchester City; Melbourne Cricket Ground, 24 July 2015 (Club teams) |
In Australia, Soccer, also known as British football, is the most played outdoor team sport, and ranked in the top ten for television audience as of 2015. The national governing body of the sport is Football Australia (FA) which comprises nine state and territory member federations, which oversee the sport within their respective region. The season in Australia is played during the summer, to avoid clashing with Australian rules and Rugby league which dominant spectator and media interest there.
Modern soccer was introduced in Australia in the late 19th century by mostly British immigrants. The first club formed in the country, Wanderers, was founded on 3 August 1880 in Sydney, while the oldest club in Australia currently in existence is Balgownie Rangers, formed in 1883 in Wollongong. Wanderers were also the first known recorded team to play under the Laws of the Game. A semi-professional national league, the National Soccer League (NSL), was introduced in 1977. The NSL was replaced by professional A-League Men, in 2004, which has contributed to a rise in popularity in the sport. Australia was a founding member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) before moving to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006. The main professional leagues are the A-League Men, A-League Women and the Australia Cup however foreign leagues such as the Premier League, the Championship and the Women's Super League are also popular.
The men's and women's national teams, known as the Socceroos and the Matildas respectively, compete globally. Australia cohosted the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup with New Zealand. The Matildas finished fourth in that tournament (Australia's best ever performance at any World Cup, male or female), and the majority of Australians watched them play on television or at the stadium. It had a major impact on Australian sport, and the phenomenon is commonly known as "Matildas fever".
History
19th century
An early match took place at the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum, located in Wacol in suburban Brisbane, on 7 August 1875, when a team of inmates and wards men from the asylum played against the visiting Brisbane Australian rules football club; the rules of the match which clearly stated that the "ball should not be handled nor carried" was a direct reference to British Association Rules.
A match was recorded to be played in Hobart on 10 May 1879, when members of the Cricketer's Club played a scratch match under English Association Rules, which were adopted by the club. The game was a return match to one played on 24 May by the clubs, under a variant of the Victorian rules; to prevent the disadvantage faced by the Cricketers, the clubs agreed that that Association rules would be adopted in the return match.
The first recorded match in Sydney under the Laws of the Game was contested between Wanderers and members of the Kings School rugby team at Parramatta Common on 14 August 1880. The Wanderers, considered the first soccer club in Australia, was established on 3 August 1880, by English-émigré John Walter Fletcher. Later, in 1882, Fletcher formed the New South Wales English Football Association (also referred to as the South British Football Soccer Association), the very first administrative governing body of soccer within Australia and one of the first to be established outside the United Kingdom.
In 1883, Balgownie Rangers, the oldest existing club in Australia was founded; the club currently competes in the Illawarra regional league. Later that year, the first inter-colonial game was played at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground, between a representative Victorian team and one from the neighbouring colony of New South Wales.
As soccer continued to grow throughout Australia, John Fletcher's New South Wales soccer association gave inspiration to other states to establish their own governing bodies for the sport. In 1884, Victoria formed its own association, the Anglo-Australian Football Association (now Football Victoria), as did Queensland, in the Anglo-Queensland Football Association (now, Football Queensland), and Northern New South Wales, in the Northern District British Football Association (now, Northern New South Wales Football). In 1896, the Western Australian Soccer Football Association was formed. In 1900, a Tasmanian association was formed, and later, the South Australian British Football Association was formed in 1902.
20th century
It was not until 1911 that a governing body was formed to oversee soccer activities in the whole of Australia. The first such organisation was called the Commonwealth Football Association. However, this body was superseded by the Australian Soccer Association, which was formed in 1921.
Australia is regarded as the first country where squad numbers in soccer were used for the first time when Sydney Leichardt and HMS Powerful players displayed numbers on their backs, in 1911. One year later, numbering in soccer would be ruled as mandatory in New South Wales.
On 17 June 1922, the first Australian national representative soccer team was constituted by the Australian Soccer Association to represent Australia for a tour of New Zealand. During the tour the Australia men's national team lost two out of the three matches against the newly formed New Zealand side.
After World War I, large numbers of British and southern European arrived seeking opportunities in new industries across parts of Australia which led to establishing soccer as a major sport in the country.
A distinct rise in popularity in New South Wales and Victoria, among other states, was linked to the post-World War II immigration. Migrant players and supporters were prominent, providing the sport with a new but distinct profile. Soccer served as a cultural gateway for many emigrants, acting as a social lubricant. Soccer transcended cultural and language barriers in communities which bridged the gap between minority communities and other classes within the country, thus bringing about a unique unity.
The most prominent soccer clubs in Australian cities during the 1950s and 1960s were based around migrant-ethnic groups, all of which expanded rapidly at that time: Croatian, Greek, Macedonian and Italian communities gave rise to most of the largest clubs, the most notable being South Melbourne (Greek-based), Sydney Olympic (Greek-based), Marconi Stallions (Italian-based), Adelaide City (Italian-based), Melbourne Knights (Croatian-based), Sydney United (Croatian-based) and Preston Lions (Macedonian-based).
In 1956, Australia became a FIFA member through the Australian Soccer Association. Though Australia's membership was soon suspended in 1960 after disobeying FIFA mandate on recruiting foreign players without a transfer fee. In 1961, the Australian Soccer Federation was formed and later admitted to FIFA in 1963, after outstanding fines had been paid. In 1966, Australia became founding members of the Oceania Football Federation (now Oceania Football Confederation).
Pre-1960s, competitive soccer in Australia was state-based. In 1962, the Australia Cup was established, but its ambition of becoming an FA Cup style knockout competition went unfulfilled with its demise in 1968. In 1977, the first national soccer competition, the National Soccer League, was founded.
Migrants continued to boost interest in and player for the sport in the 1970s and 1980s, especially from the Middle East and from the former Yugoslavia.
In 1984, the National Soccer Youth League was founded as a reserve and academy league to run in parallel to the National Soccer League. In 1996, the first national women's soccer competition, the Women's National Soccer League was founded. The National Soccer League and those for women and youth flourished through the 1980s and early 1990s, though with the increasing departure of Australian players to overseas leagues.
Soccer reached notable popularity among Australian people during the second half of the 20th century. Johnny Warren, a prominent advocate for the sport, who was a member of the Australia national team at their first FIFA World Cup appearance in 1974, entitled his memoir Sheilas, Wogs, and Poofters (a reference to the Australian slang: sheila, wog, poofter), giving an indication of how Warren considered the wider Australian community viewed "wogball".
In the mid-1990s, Soccer Australia (the governing body for the sport) attempted under the Chairmanship of David Hill to shift soccer into the Australian mainstream and away from direct club-level association with migrant roots. Many clubs across the country were required to change their names and badges to represent a more inclusive community.
21st century
The sport experienced major change in the country in 2003, after the then Minister for Sport, Rod Kemp, and the Australian Parliament commissioned a report by the Independent Soccer Review Committee. Its findings in the structure, governance and management of soccer in Australia led the restructure of Football Federation Australia (previously Australian Soccer Federation, Soccer Australia, Australia Soccer Association) and later in 2005, the succeeding relaunched national competition, the A-League.
The restructuring of the sport in Australia also saw the adoption of "football" by administrators, in preference to "soccer", to align with the general international name of the sport. Although the use of "football" was largely cultural, as part of an attempt to reposition the sport within Australia, there were also "practical and corporate reasons for the change", including a need for the sport to break away from the baggage left over from previous competitions. However, the move created problems within the wider community, engendering confusion due to the naming conflict with other football codes, and creating conflict with other sporting bodies.
Australia ended a 32-year absent streak when the nation team qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The team's qualification and success in the tournament helped increase the profile and popularity of the sport in the country.
The national team qualified for second and third consecutive FIFA World Cups in 2010 and 2014; and placed second in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. The joining of Western Sydney Wanderers to the A-League in 2012 saw a rise in interest for the league within Australia, particularly increasing mainstream interest and re-engagement with disaffected Western Sydney soccer fans. Also, the formation of the National Premier Leagues in 2013 and subsequent restructuring of state leagues as part of the National Competition Review and Elite Player Pathway Review has paved the way for the development of the sport throughout the country. The launch of the Australia Cup (then known as FFA Cup) in 2014 has also similarly increased mainstream interest and grassroots development.
In the 21st century, a major migrant group furnishing new players in the A-League has been the African Australian community, with 34 players making an appearance in the 2020-2021 A-League season, up on 26 the previous year. These include Kusini Yengi and his brother, Tete Yengi, from South Sudan, and their friends, brothers Mohamed and Al Hassan Toure.
In 2020, Football Federation Australia officially unveiled a plan called "XI Principles for the future of Australian Football", shortened as Vision 2035, with the aim to restructure and expand football across the country, with the rebranding of the domestic league, establishment of a national second division, alignment with FIFA Domestic Match Calendar, restart and rebuilding of Australian football products (mainly by fixing the youth football development), reducing costs of football in the country, possibility of establishing promotion and relegation system, and expansion of women's football, with the aim to achieve the Vision 2035 for football in the country.
In summer 2021, Football Australia officials announced a series of major reforms: the shift in calendar by aligning with Domestic Match Calendar and to avoid clashing with FIFA days so it could help the Socceroos to compete; establishment of a second-tier professional league; club licensing framework; domestic transfer system; as well a potential adoption of promotion-relegation system, expected to be implemented by 2022–23.
Organisation
Main articles: Football Federation Australia and Professional Footballers AustraliaSoccer in Australia is governed by Football Australia (FA) which is currently a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regional ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), since leaving the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in 2006.
FA is underpinned by nine member federations which oversee all aspects of the sport within their respective region, including the organisation of state league and cup tournaments as opposed to national tournaments which are organised by FA. Member federations are state-based, although New South Wales is divided into a northern and southern federation.
Former and current Australian professional soccer players are represented by the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), a trade union affiliated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions and a member of FIFPro, the global representative organisation for professional soccer players. The association tends to soccer players' pay and conditions, and also protects soccer players from unfair dismissal.
League system
Main article: Australia soccer league systemA-League Men
The A-League Men was founded in 2005 after Australia's former top-flight national league National Soccer League was replaced. The A-League Men is contested between 12 clubs. The league covers the only competition controlled by the Australian Professional Leagues and the only professional league in Australia.
National Second Division
The National Second Division is the upcoming Australian second-tier professional division, and is expected to begin from 2025.
National Premier Leagues
The National Premier Leagues has 90 clubs, divided into eight divisions by state. Despite the organisational split, promotion and relegation does not take place between the A-League and NPL.
State-league soccer
Below the NPL, is what is commonly known as "state-league". This refers to clubs outside of NPL, although they still play in organised league competitions for each state in the Australian system.
District soccer
There are many district leagues and soccer clubs in Australia, examples include NSW districts Bankstown, Blacktown, Eastern Suburbs with their own semi-professional leagues with clubs from their respective districts.
Youth leagues
Many club sides have youth teams. The top level of youth soccer in Australia is the A-League Youth, founded for all A-League Men clubs that have Youth sides. The league, which currently has 10 teams, is divided into two groups each with five teams. The winners of both groups contest the end-of-season Grand Final to decide the league champions.
Cup competitions
There are several cup competitions for clubs at different levels of the soccer pyramid. The only major cup competitions are the Australia Cup.
- The Australia Cup, first held in 2014, is the only major cup competition in Australia. It is open to around 700 clubs in levels 1–9 of the soccer pyramid.
- The Federation Cup, first held in 1962, is a Capital Football cup played through all levels of Capital Football teams.
- The Waratah Cup, first held in 1991, is a New South Wales cup played through all levels of teams from the NSW league system.
- The Canale Cup, first held in 1894, is the oldest knockout competition in Australia and is played through Brisbane teams below the National Premier Leagues.
- The Dockerty Cup, first held in 1909, is a Victorian cup open to all clubs from Victoria in the Victorian league system.
- The Geelong Community Cup, first held in 1981, is an annual tournament held in the region for local team across all levels of Victorian league system.
There have also been other cup competitions which are no longer run:
- Australia Cup (1962–1968) was for all teams from state leagues.
- NSL Cup (1977–1997) was for all teams that participated in a season of the National Soccer League.
- Challenge Cup (2005–2009) had teams from the A-League.
Participation
According to Ausplay in 2024, there were 1,232,726 adults and 632,249 children playing the sport of which about a quarter were female with an overall participation per capita of 6.9% making it the most participated team sport.
According to FIFA's Big Count in 2006, a total of 970,728 people in Australia participated in the sport, with 435,728 registered players, and 535,000 unregistered players. These numbers were higher than the equivalents for other sports such as cricket, Australian rules football, rugby league and rugby union. In 2013, an audit on the sport by Gemba found that 1.96 million Australians were actively involved in the game as a player. When coaches, referees and fans are included it is estimated that involvement with the sport is around 3.1 million.
Region/State/Territory | Overview | Adult players 2016 | Adult players 2022 | Adult players 2023/2024 |
---|---|---|---|---|
National | 1,143,640 | 1,157,050 | 1,232,726 | |
New South Wales | Overview | 440,470 | 477,174 | 471,480 |
Victoria | Overview | 250,613 | 243,956 | 227,213 |
Queensland | Overview | 232,668 | 211,923 | 217,749 |
Western Australia | Overview | 103,636 | 111,085 | 117,248 |
South Australia | Overview | 51,601 | 61,705 | 84,263 |
Tasmania | Overview | 17,984 | 15,522 | 14,594 |
Australian Capital Territory | Overview | 25,210 | 25,905 | 28,916 |
Northern Territory | Overview | 8,845 | 9,780 | 11,457 |
Men's national teams
National Men's soccer teams of various age groups represent Australia in international competition. Australian national teams historically competed in the OFC, though since FFA's move in 2006, Australian teams have competed in AFC competitions.
The Australia national soccer team, nicknamed the "Socceroos", represents Australia in international soccer. Australia is a four-time OFC champion, one time Asian champion and AFC National Team of the Year for 2006. The Men's team has represented Australia at the FIFA World Cup tournaments in 1974, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
In the Olympic arena, Australia first fielded a men's team at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. Australia did not compete again in the Olympic arena, until the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Apart from London 2012, where it failed to qualify a team, Australia has competed in all Olympic Men's Football competitions since 1988.
There are also a number of national youth teams: Under-17 team, nicknamed the "Joeys"; Under-20 team, nicknamed the "Young Socceroos"; and the Under-23 team, nicknamed the "Olyroos". The latter is considered to be a feeder team for the national team.
In addition there is a beach team, nicknamed the "Beach Socceroos", which represents Australia in international beach soccer and a Paralympic team, nicknamed the "Pararoos", which competes in international Paralympic association football.
Women's soccer
Further information: Women's soccer in AustraliaThe participation of Australian women in soccer was first recorded in the early 1920s. It has since become one of the country's most popular women's team sports. As with the men's game, the women's game in Australia saw a large expansion following the post-war immigration, though it is only in recent years that women's soccer has gained momentum, with such factors as the creation of the W-League and the success of the Australia women's national soccer team nicknamed "the Matildas" aiding the increasing popularity of the game. In 2021 the W-League was renamed to A-League Women.
Women's soccer was added to the Olympic program in 1996, with Australia first fielding a Women's team at Sydney 2000. Australia fielded a team at the Athens 2004 Olympics, but did not qualify for the final Olympic tournament again until Rio 2016.
Australia cohosted the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup with New Zealand. The Matildas finished fourth in that tournament (Australia's best ever performance at any World Cup, male or female), and the majority of Australians watched them play on television or at the stadium. It had a major impact on Australian sport, and the phenomenon is commonly known as "Matildas fever".
In April 2024, the 2023–24 A-League Women season set the record for the most attended season of any women's sport in Australian history, with the season recording a total attendance of 284,551 on 15 April 2024, and finishing with a final total attendance of 312,199.
Stadiums in Australia
Further information: List of soccer stadiums in AustraliaThe Melbourne Cricket Ground is the largest stadium in the country with a capacity of 100,000. It is owned by the Victorian Government and stages some of Australia's home matches. Stadium Australia is the largest stadium with a rectangular configuration, followed by Docklands Stadium and Lang Park.
Variations
Further information: Futsal in AustraliaFutsal, an indoor variant of soccer, was introduced in Australia in the early 1970s and soon gained popularity after a wet period during the winter football season forced players indoors where they took up the new sport.
Media coverage
Pay television is the predominant outlet for both domestic and international soccer in Australia. Some games can also be heard on local radio stations. The anti-siphoning list which controls what must be kept on free to air television in Australia includes only specific international matches, including all matches at the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women's World Cup featuring Australia as well as both the FIFA World Cup Final and the FIFA Women's World Cup Final.
In 2007, a A$120 million, seven-year broadcasting deal between FFA and Fox Sports Australia gave the subscription television exclusive rights to all Australia internationals, all A-League and AFC Asian Cup fixtures, FIFA World Cup qualifiers through the AFC, and all AFC Champions League matches. In 2013, FFA signed a joint A$160 million, four-year deal with Fox Sports and SBS for the A-League. SBS would show a delayed simulcast for the second round of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, before the Nine Network broadcast the live simulcast rights for the third round and intercontinental play-offs. In 2017, Fox Sports renewed its deal with FFA for a further six years, with Network 10 simulcasting one A-League match each week. ABC TV would later receive the simulcast rights for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. In 2020, Fox Sports terminated its contract following financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. Paramount+ currently holds the broadcasting rights for the A-Leagues and AFC Champions League competitions until the end of the 2025/26 season, along with all Socceroos and Matildas matches until 2028. Network 10 currently holds simulcast rights for some matches.
Since 1986, SBS has been the official Australian broadcast rights holder for the FIFA World Cup, and the television network will continue to hold the rights to the competition until 2026. The Nine Network broadcast sixteen matches of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, including exclusive coverage of the final, and would also have shown all Australian matches had the Socceroos qualified. Similarly, Optus Sport briefly held exclusive rights to every game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup before relinquishing them to SBS due to technical issues.
Optus Sport is Australia's primary broadcaster of foreign soccer leagues such as the Premier League and the Women's Super League, along with the UEFA European Championship and UEFA European Qualifiers. From 2016 to 2019, SBS held simulcast rights to one Premier League game per round. Stan Sport, which the Nine Network owns, holds the broadcast rights to the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League competitions.
Support
Soccer is a widely supported sport in Australia, with most Australians following the Socceroos and the Matildas. Many Australians also follow an A-League club and/or other foreign clubs, most commonly English clubs that play in either the Premier League or the Championship.
Many Australians, male and female, play for foreign clubs. The majority of both Socceroos and Matildas players play for clubs outside Australia, mostly for clubs in England. As of the 2024–25 season, fourteen Australians play in the Women's Super League (WSL), with three in the Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou is the first ever Australian to manage a Premier League club, having managed Tottenham Hotspur since 2023. He has heavily contributed to the club's rising popularity in Australia.
Most supported clubs
A-League
Roy Morgan Research (2023) | |
---|---|
Club | Supporters |
Adelaide United | 401,000 |
Brisbane Roar | 595,000 |
Central Coast Mariners | 177,000 |
Macarthur | 69,000 |
Melbourne City | 281,000 |
Melbourne Victory | 590,000 |
Newcastle Jets | 207,000 |
Perth Glory | 441,000 |
Sydney FC | 693,000 |
Wellington Phoenix | 59,000 |
Western Sydney Wanderers | 238,000 |
Western United | 66,000 |
Premier League
Online survey (Reddit, 2024) | |
---|---|
Club | % |
Arsenal | 17.2% |
Chelsea | 6.9% |
Ipswich Town | 5.2% |
Liverpool | 19.0% |
Manchester City | 5.2% |
Manchester United | 6.9% |
Tottenham Hotspur | 20.7% |
Other | 18.9% |
Seasons in Australian soccer
The following articles are an incomplete list of Seasons in Soccer in Australia since 1884. Each article covers the leagues and competitions played that season, as well as games played by all national teams during that period. National soccer in Australia was not played until the 1962 season as the first 78 seasons only played regional soccer.
1880s | 1884 | 1885 | 1886 | 1887 | 1888 | 1889 | ||||
1890s | 1890 | 1891 | 1892 | 1893 | 1894 | 1895 | 1896 | 1897 | 1898 | 1899 |
1900s | 1900 | 1901 | 1902 | 1903 | 1904 | 1905 | 1906 | 1907 | 1908 | 1909 |
1910s | 1910 | 1911 | 1912 | 1913 | 1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 |
1920s | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 |
1930s | 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939 |
1940s | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 |
1950s | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 |
1960s | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 |
1970s | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 |
1980s | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 / 1989–90 |
1990s | 1990–91 | 1991–92 | 1992–93 | 1993–94 | 1994–95 | 1995–96 | 1996–97 | 1997–98 | 1998–99 | 1999–2000 |
2000s | 2000–01 | 2001–02 | 2002–03 | 2003–04 | 2004–05 | 2005–06 | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | 2008–09 | 2009–10 |
2010s | 2010–11 | 2011–12 | 2012–13 | 2013–14 | 2014–15 | 2015–16 | 2016–17 | 2017–18 | 2018–19 | 2019–20 |
2020s | 2020–21 | 2021–22 | 2022–23 | 2023–24 |
Seasons in Top Flight
53 teams have taken part in 47 National Soccer League and A-League seasons that have been played from the 1977 season until the 2023–24 season. The teams in bold compete in the A-League Men currently.
- 30 seasons: Brisbane Roar
- 28 seasons: Marconi Stallions, South Melbourne
- 27 seasons: Adelaide City, Perth Glory, Sydney Olympic
- 23 seasons: Newcastle United Jets, Wollongong Wolves
- 21 seasons: Melbourne Knights, Sydney United
- 20 seasons: Adelaide United
- 19 seasons: Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, West Adelaide
- 17 seasons: Heidelberg United, Wellington Phoenix
- 14 seasons: APIA Leichhardt, Melbourne City, St George FC
- 13 seasons: Brisbane Strikers, Footscray JUST, Preston Lions
- 12 seasons: Western Sydney Wanderers
- 11 seasons: Hakoah Sydney City East
- 10 seasons: Brisbane City, Canberra City
- 9 seasons: Morwell Falcons, Newcastle Breakers
- 8 seasons: Sunshine George Cross
- 7 seasons: Blacktown City, Brunswick Juventus, Newcastle KB United, Parramatta FC
- 6 seasons: Canberra Cosmos, Northern Spirit
- 5 seasons: Football Kingz, Parramatta Power, Western United
- 4 seasons: Carlton SC, Macarthur FC
- 3 seasons: Green Gully, Newcastle Rosebud, Gold Coast United
- 2 seasons: Inter Monaro, Penrith City, Western Suburbs, New Zealand Knights, North Queensland Fury
- 1 seasons: Canterbury Marrickville, Collingwood Warriors, Mooroolbark SC, Wollongong Macedonia
Largest Australian soccer stadiums by capacity
Further information: List of soccer stadiums in AustraliaSee also
Overview by state or territory
- Soccer in the Australian Capital Territory
- Soccer in New South Wales
- Soccer in the Northern Territory
- Soccer in Queensland
- Soccer in South Australia
- Soccer in Tasmania
- Soccer in Victoria
- Soccer in Western Australia
Other articles
- Australian soccer league system
- Soccer records and statistics in Australia
- List of Australian soccer champions
- Football Federation Australia Hall of Fame
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{{cite web}}
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{{cite web}}
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- Competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 to 1986 and 1988 as Brisbane Lions
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