Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

[Axe Man]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

Just my observations from my area in country Victoria...

I have seen no evidence of the decline of AFL or cricket around here. I'm 34 and there are many more junior footy teams now than when I was young, whilst senior teams remain unchanged. Admittedly it is a growing area due largely to the never ending sprawl of the south eastern suburbs. Junior soccer in the area has grown massively over the years however I don't think it has having a huge effect on junior footy numbers.

It may change in the future but the large number of junior soccer players doesn't seem to translate into senior participation. In comparison to footy there are very few senior soccer clubs around these parts.

I don't believe there have ever been a greater number of senior cricket teams in the local leagues than there are at present. The club for which I have previously played fields sides in 5 of the 6 divisions, a few years back there were only 3 senior sides. I'm not quite up on the junior cricket ranks however I suspect numbers have remained fairly consistent over the years.

The growth of junior soccer in my area is significant however I don't believe it is killing footy or cricket. Perhaps in other areas the story is different, but around here I remain alert, not alarmed.

[chef]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

I have been hearing this for the past 40 plus years.

Times have changed now that it's a summer sport here and a new generation which loves the game.

[chef]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

Soccer IS the sport of choice at school lunchtimes because:

- You can be completely without skill and still kick the ball. This is not true in football.
- Primary school teachers are predominantly female and have little ==> no idea (generalisation) of how to teach someone how to kick.
- There is a perception within school admin that whilst soccer is 'safe' football is not.

It's the sport of choose because kids enjoy playing it, it's that simple. There's still the groups that play Footy, but they are just getting smaller every year. At least that is what's happening at the school my son goes to.

It's never going to over take AFL, but as a summer spectator sport it will over take cricket.

On another note, everybody needs to check out Ibrahimovic's game against England especially his last goal which was

[AndrewP6]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

Just from my experiences at work (school in growth corridor of SE suburbs, over 900 kids) AFL hasn't lost out yet. Yes, soccer is popular, but our game is still going strong. Our school has banned tackling, which means its kick to kick or variations thereof. We have a staff v students footy match each year too.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

Soccer IS the sport of choice at school lunchtimes because:

- You can be completely without skill and still kick the ball. This is not true in football.
- Primary school teachers are predominantly female and have little ==> no idea (generalisation) of how to teach someone how to kick.

Whist on the whole, the point abou,t most teachers being female is right, in my experience mot or many PE teachers are male. My school has a good share of blokes, making footy season the topic of conversation through much of the year

[Bornadog]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

Times have changed now that it's a summer sport here and a new generation which loves the game.

Lets agree to disagree, soccer may be fun to play but boring to watch.

[Eastdog]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

The game in Australia has definitely taken off since we qualified for the 2006 World Cup in a game we all won't forget in 2005 against Uruguay. The A League though could be promoted more than it is but watching an actual game of soccer I think even though not a lot of goals are scored is entertaining with the skills on showcase. You can have very entertaining 0-0 draws with lots of chances from the teams.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

The game in Australia has definitely taken off since we qualified for the 2006 World Cup in a game we all won't forget in 2005 against Uruguay. The A League though could be promoted more than it is but watching an actual game of soccer I think even though not a lot of goals are scored is entertaining with the skills on showcase. You can have very entertaining 0-0 draws with lots of chances from the teams.

I'm not sure we all remember it. I have no idea what happened in that game, nor the slightest interest in watching 80 minutes of a game where nobody scores.

[Eastdog]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

I'm not sure we all remember it. I have no idea what happened in that game, nor the slightest interest in watching 80 minutes of a game where nobody scores.

Except maybe if its your team you would watch the match because in those last 10 minutes something special might happen after 80 minutes of no goals. I see though what your saying AndrewP6. Are you a big soccer fan?

[AndrewP6]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

Except maybe if its your team you would watch the match because in those last 10 minutes something special might happen after 80 minutes of no goals. I see though what your saying AndrewP6. Are you a big soccer fan?

The opposite, I can't stand it. See below:

I'm not sure we all remember it. I have no idea what happened in that game, nor the slightest interest in watching 80 minutes of a game where nobody scores.

[Eastdog]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

The opposite, I can't stand it. See below:

That's alright not everyone likes soccer or football as they call it in Europe so each to their own.

[chef]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

Lets agree to disagree, soccer may be fun to play but boring to watch.

You can say the same thing about cricket

[soupman]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

You can say the same thing about cricket

I've always found it odd that so many people bag soccer for being a boring game where nothing happens, but absolutely love test cricket, which surely has to be one of the most drawn out games ever. At least soccer draws only take 90 minutes, not 5 days.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

Soccer v Football Football v Auusie Rules v Cricket.
Debated so many times on the social media in this country it's tedious.
Personally each to their own, but with obesity in epic proportions it's good to have young people being active.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Soccer will dominate AFL and Cricket in Oz

That's alright not everyone likes soccer or football as they call it in Europe so each to their own.

East Dog, Sydney people call RL Footy. Union people call their sport football.
Unfortunately some are insecure to worry about something being called football