Football participation in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region continues to grow. 

As of 24th May 2024, total numbers of registered players have increased from 15,497 in 2023 to 16,404 in 2024.

Overall Participation Breakdown

• Female Players:

  • 2023: 4,006
  • 2024: 4,293
     

• Male Players:

  • 2023: 11,653
  • 2024: 12,111

Growth in Female Participation

With legacy projects over the last two years leveraging the Women's World Cup to increase female membership, we note a 13% growth in female players, going from 4,006 in 2023 to 4,293 in 2024.

Overall, our percentage of female participants has risen from 25% to 26% of the total membership.

Regional Highlights

Waikato:

• 2023: 6,846
• 2024: 7,568
• Cambridge FC is now the largest club in our Federation, growing from 867 to 1,065 members, a 23% increase.
• Female players in the Waikato grew from 1,717 in 2023 to 1,906 in 2024.
• Northern United has seen the largest growth in female players
• 7% growth for females and 4% growth for males from 2023, and an overall growth of 21% males and 16% females over the last 5 years. 
   

Western Bay of Plenty

• 2023: 4,946
• 2024: 5,171
• Female players increased from 1,293 to 1,391, with FC Tauranga Moana seeing the largest growth.
• Tauranga Blue Rovers has seen the most growth
   

Eastern Bay of Plenty (EBOP):

• 2023: 966
• 2024: 1,033
• Ohope Beach leads with 140 members.
• Female players grew from 287 to 329, with Awakeri showing the biggest growth.
   

Thames Valley:

• 2023: 493
• 2024: 521 (Juniors yet to be registered)
• Female players rose from 118 to 138.
   

Rotorua:

• 2023: 1,408
• 2024: 1,493
• Lakes FC remains the largest club 
• Female players increased from 352 to 397, with Westbrook showing the most growth.
   

Taupo:

• 2023: 506
• 2024: 618
• Female players grew from 109 to 130.

Growth from 2019 to 2024

The WaiBOP region has seen overall growth in the last 5 years. Male players have grown 20% since 2019, and female players have seen a 27% increase.

Article added: Saturday 25 May 2024