The SANFL Industry PhD Scholarship: Sociocultural impact and legacy of AFL Gather Round on South Australian communities

In partnership with Flinders University, SANFL are offering an industry PhD Scholarship to undertake innovative research into the sociocultural impact and legacy of AFL Gather Round on South Australian communities.

SANFL are collaborating with Flinders University’s SHAPE Research Centre on this research project to investigate the sociocultural impact of AFL Gather Round on South Australian communities. The project will include conducting a literature review and using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies including focus groups, interviews, surveys and social return on investment methods.

Bringing significant industry experience to the project, SANFL is a well respected and dynamic organisation united in their vision to connect communities through the enjoyment of footy.  As the governing body for Australian Rules Football in South Australia, to complement the 2023 AFL Gather Round in 2023, SANFL delivered the following initiatives:

• 16 free clinics with AFL and SANFL players reaching over 3000 children
•   SANFL Juniors season launch, attracting more than 2000 junior participants to the Festival of Footy live site in Elder Park
•  Coach development workshops at SANFL venues connecting 400 community coaches with AFL head coaches
•  Community Club Development Day attended by almost 200 club and league volunteers
• Half-time AusKick experiences for approximately 800 boys and girls
• Umpire workshops and match day experiences connecting 500 community and junior umpires with elite AFL umpires
• Delivered a Community Footy Regional Roadshow, visiting numerous regional communities across SA over 21 days

SANFL wish to undertake this significant research project to inform evidence-based decision making, policy development, and strategic planning for football in South Australia, while shedding light on the enduring sociocultural imprint of Gather Round in South Australia.

SHAPE Research Centre (Flinders University) is also committed to understanding and optimising the broad impact of sport on the lives of individuals, families and communities and has complementary research strengths in sport sociology, sport psychology, sport economics, and sport coaching.

This research will provide strong sociocultural evidence to inform policies to target game development initiatives, widening participation programs, and periodic strategic planning. It will also offer opportunities to strengthen future bids for infrastructure investment to support anticipated participatory growth across South Australia. The study will provide SANFL with empirical evidence to support future proposals to retain AFL Gather Round in Adelaide, South Australia. Together we are seeking innovative solutions to this challenging area of research through this PhD project.  

The scholarship includes:

• a stipend  valued at $35,000 per annum (indexed annually) tax free, for up to 3.5 years; 
• The scholarship will be awarded for up to 3.5 years
• a Research Training Program Fee Offset Scholarship to cover tuition fees for Australian Citizens, NZ Citizens and Permanent Residents
• SANFL Industry PhD Scholarship also includes an internship of at least 60 full-time equivalent days, agreed to in written form within 18 months of candidature, undertaken and completed prior to completion of the PhD, during which you will be embedded with the industry partner team, developing your network, and gaining insight into the everyday research practices of an industry-leading, service driven organisation. 

To be eligible for the award of this scholarship a student must: 

• be an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or have, or are eligible to apply for, a relevant international visa; and
• meet PhD admission requirements including: have an Australian Honours degree Class 1 or 2A or equivalent qualification (at least AQF Level 8), including a research component of at least 6 months’ full-time study achieving Distinction (75%) OR including evidence of equivalent research experience, such as a substantial first-author refereed publication or track record as an investigator on a competitive grant; and
• Scholarship recipients are expected to take up their studies as soon as practicable within a time frame specified by the Office of Graduate Research in consultation with the industry partner, up to maximum of 3 months from the time of acceptance of the scholarship.  In exceptional circumstances and with approval of the industry partner and the University, this time may be extended to 6 months.
• DHS Working with Children Check – Not Prohibited status
• It is desirable for applicants to also have: some contextual knowledge of and a passion for AFL football and AFL Gather Round