Soccer kicks goals as local participation grows

This content is part of a paid partnership with Google to promote Google Trends SOCCER is continuing to grow in popularity across Beaudesert, with the local club recording its highest participation figures and expecting further growth next season. Beaudesert Rangers Soccer Club has 383 players across 31 teams, including five dedicated girls' and women's teams, with additional girls participating in mixed competitions.

Club president Chris Thompson said the club had experienced considerable growth, particularly among female players. "Last year, we've had the greatest number of players we've ever had," he said.

"We also had the greatest number of teams that we ever had, and we've had the most number of girls teams." The local growth comes as Google Trends data* shows consistent interest in Australians searching for opportunities to play soccer. Google Trends recorded an average relative search interest score of 17 for the soccer-related query, compared with a rounded score of zero for rugby league, with several spikes in soccer interest during the FIFA Women's World Cup and the FIFA Men's World Cup.

Mr Thompson said the success of national women's sporting teams, particularly the Matildas, had contributed to the growing interest among girls. "Most of the girls who you bump into want to be the next Sam Kerr," he said.

He said the introduction of more female-only teams had also encouraged girls who might otherwise have been reluctant to play in mixed competitions. The club's senior women's Division 1 and Division 2 teams have also helped inspire younger players, while an over-30s women's team was established this year after mothers watching their children decided to get involved themselves.

Most of the girls who you bump into want to be the next Sam Kerr Mr Thompson said the club's community-focused approach had contributed to its popularity. "We're open and fun first rather than competition second," he said.

"We focus on everyone having fun on the field rather than trying to put together necessarily the most competitive team."

However, the increasing number of players has also raised questions about future facilities.

The Rangers currently operate from two full-sized fields, which are divided into smaller playing areas for junior competitions. Mr Thompson said the club still had capacity for additional teams.

"We still have room for growth in the area we currently are," he said.