THE Greater Geelong region is not only leading Victoria in the overall growth of football player registration in the state, it is also eclipsing the national rate!

 Data released earlier this month has revealed the total number of registered football players in the ‘City by the Bay’ has risen an astounding 16.88 percent in the last 12 months and an overall 22 percent in the past three years.

 According to Foddy Kyprian, the FFV Zone Development Officer for the Wimmera/South Coast region (which incorporates the wider Geelong area), so far this year, a total of 3,372 players have registered to take part in the sport, compared to last year’s total of 2,885.

 “This growth in the Greater Geelong region is by far the biggest percentage increase in the state. At the moment, the approximate total increase in the state is in excess of 10 percent, which includes all the eight FFV regional zones, as well as the Melbourne metropolitan region. We are more than six percentage points above that," said Kyprian.

 “In fact, not only is Geelong doing better than the state average, we are also leading the way nationally, with the unofficial national growth rate somewhere about half of the Victorian state figure”.

 According to the data provided, the most significant growth has been detected in the Junior’s category (12-18 years) with an incredible 27.62% increase in registrations.

 However, in an indication that numbers are set to grow even more in years to come, the growth in the 5-11 age category (the Miniroos) is also substantial at 16.07%.

 “Further to that, with the success of the Australian Matildas at the recently concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup, I am of the opinion that the numbers of girls and women playing the sport are set to soar over the next 12 months,” concluded Kyprian.

 PHOTO: Action from a recent Division One Men's league fixture between Deakin Ducks and Surfside Waves (Photo: Patrick Callow)