The rapid growth of football in the greater Geelong region has continued with a record breaking increase in players for the second straight year.

A statewide player increase of 20% in two years has been reflected in the huge rise in popularity of the world game in Geelong.

Player numbers in greater Geelong increased 9% in 2016, off the back of an 18% rise in 2015.

Greater Geelong now has 3712 players pulling on the boots in the region, up from 3402 last year.

Football Federation Victoria President Kimon Taliadoros said the numbers reflected the hard work from all of football's stakeholders.

"The message is clear; football is popular and growing rapidly, playing football is a great experience and playing football is fun," Mr Taliadoros said.

"Every stakeholder in the game, from clubs, to Councils and Government, to FFV's corporate partners is to be commended on the role they have played in making football Victoria's premier sport."

Geelong Regional Football Committee (GRFC) Chair Jo Plummer credited many opportunities provided for people to play as a driving force behind the increase.

 “With the creation of a new Men’s Over 35s (Masters’) league, the introduction of a Women’s second division as well as continued growth in the Juniors’ and Sub-Juniors’ categories, the numbers of players playing the World Game has increased right across the region,” Ms Plummer said.

 “With the introduction of the Division 1 and Division 2 formats in Geelong, it has allowed us to group together the better sides in the region hence increasing the overall standard in that particular age group, whilst also ensuring the developmental or second squads are guaranteed a better match day experience playing against teams at their own level in the developmental division.

“With a new club (FC Leopold) entering the picture next year, as well as the likelihood of several more Juniors’ divisions - including a new Girls’ Under 12s competition and possibly a Boys’ Under 19s league - our numbers are set to grow even further in 2017.

"The game is growing so rapidly it is imperative that all of football's stakeholders work together to harness the growth and cater for demand. FFV, GRFC, clubs and councils all must work together to ensure that every player who wants to play has the opportunity to do so."

INTERESTING FACT: A total of 3,712 players were registered in the Geelong region, which constitutes 5.6 percent of the statewide total of 66,194. According to Wikipedia, the total combined population of the Geelong, Surf Coast and Golden Plains municipalities is 231,187 or 3.8 percent of the entire Victorian population of an estimated 6 million! This means that football in the Geelong region is disproportionately higher than the actual population figure by almost 2 percent!

PHOTO: FFV Zone Development Officer Foddy Kyprian surrounded by girls from the Bell Park and Galaxy United clubs at this year's Pako Festa. The females - both young and old - have been immensely responsible for the massive growth of football in the wider Geelong region.