Introduction to the AFL Research Program and its relationship with sport science and sport medicine in Australian Football

Abstract

Introduction: Australian Football has established itself as a world leader with injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, sport science, coaching, umpiring and volunteer administrators. The AFL Research Board was formed in 1999 to administer the selection of research priorities, allocation of research funding, organization of industry sport science and medicine events and to guide individual research projects. The work commissioned by the Research Board is one of the key reasons why the AFL has the reputation it does on the international stage. The projects commissioned on an annual basis have benefited the game at all levels. The strength of the program is that topics are nominated by industry partners, meaning they address problems or answer questions that people working in the industry have identified as priorities. While the AFL competition projects usually receive the most attention, such as the annual AFL Injury Report (which has been running for 19 consecutive years), the projects focused on the development of the game at community level have been just as critical in ensuring the continued strength of the sport across all levels of participation. The board comprises a mix of professionals with playing, coaching, business, administration and academic experience. The program has been successful in translating knowledge into action and impact across a number of different areas: developing the capacity of volunteers; enhancing the skills of coaches; reducing and improving treatment of injuries at elite and community level; improving community football environments and respect for umpires; using research as the platform for policy development and evaluation; improving the talent pathway; and improving the preparation of playing surfaces.