Football in the Geelong region is delivering benefits well beyond the pitch, with new research from RMIT University highlighting the positive impact of grassroots football on adolescent mental health.
The study, conducted in partnership with North Geelong Warriors FC, explored the experiences of girls aged 11–17 during the 2025 season and how participation in football contributes to overall wellbeing.
The findings reinforce what many in the football community already see every week — that being part of a team can play a powerful role in supporting young people both on and off the field.
The Power of Belonging in Sport
A key finding of the research was the importance of belonging and connection within a team environment.
Players who felt a strong sense of belonging were more likely to experience:
- Lower levels of anxiety
- Stronger peer relationships
- Greater life satisfaction and sense of purpose
The research highlighted that teammates were often described as a “second family”, reinforcing how important social connection is during adolescence.
Importantly, the study found that these benefits were consistent across all levels of football — from community teams through to higher-level competitions — with the quality of the environment being more important than the level of play.
The Role of Clubs, Coaches and Community
The research also emphasised the critical role that clubs play in supporting young people beyond sport.
Positive relationships with coaches and teammates were identified as key drivers of wellbeing, with coaches often acting as trusted role models who help create safe, supportive and inclusive environments.
Family involvement was also shown to strengthen a player’s experience, with supportive club environments helping build confidence, resilience and connection.
At North Geelong Warriors FC, this approach is already embedded within the club culture, with a strong focus on inclusion, support and player wellbeing.
More Than Just a Game
The study comes at a time of significant growth in girls’ football across Victoria and Australia, with participation continuing to rise.
While this growth is exciting, the research highlights an even more important takeaway — that community football is not just about developing players, but about supporting young people to thrive.
For many participants, football provides:
- A sense of identity and belonging
- A positive outlet from school and social pressures
- Opportunities to build confidence and friendships
- A supportive environment during key developmental years
A Strong Future for Football in Geelong
Chair of the Football Victoria Geelong Regional Advisory Panel, Mike McKinstry, said the findings highlight the broader value of football within the community.
“We’ve always known that football offers so much more than just the game itself, and it’s great to see that backed by research.
For many young people, their club becomes a place where they feel connected, supported and part of something bigger. That sense of belonging is incredibly powerful.
As participation continues to grow, it’s important that we continue to create environments where players feel safe, included and supported both on and off the pitch.”
Football Victoria Geelong is proud to see local clubs like North Geelong Warriors contributing to research that highlights the broader impact of the game.
The findings reinforce the importance of continuing to invest in community football environments that are inclusive, supportive and focused on the wellbeing of all participants.
As participation continues to grow across the region, so too does the opportunity to positively impact the lives of young people through football.
