I was at a FFT coaching meeting for clubs tonight.

One of the issues discussed was drop out rates of footballers in both genders.

In Tasmania about 40% of players stop playing football when leaving junior clubs at under 12 to senior clubs who usually start at under 13, or this last season, under 14.

There is another drop out rate of about 40% at under 16 level too again in both genders.

What are the figures like in your state?

One of the outcomes from a meeting where there was pretty robust discussion, was that the under 13 age group is seen as a much better stepping stone from junior, school associated clubs , who play up to under 12, when they join senior clubs.


Most , if not all club officials and coaches, considered that a number of players thought that it was intimidating going to under 14s from under 12s. The step up was perceived as being too big by a number of players. Hence, they dropped out of the game.

FFT also said a common phenomenon for children to drop out of other sports too.










Edited by Decentric: 21/8/2013 10:00:21 AM

I'd be curious to know what the comparable rates are in overseas markets also.

Is there a limit on the age group a 'junior club' can have? Would'nt it be logical if as a club you had an U/12 team to keep that team for next year to play U/13?

In my zone there are no restrictions so I'd be interested in what the thinking behind a separation is.