The AFL announced that the census, compiled by Street Ryan and Associates, revealed that 441.015 participants played the game at all levels in 2003 - an additional 24,281 players compared to the 2002 figure.
Commented AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou: "The figures we have received from the census top off a fantastic year for the AFL. The 2003 AFL season saw attendance figures reach our third-best total in history and to now have a greater number of people playing the game, as well as an increased number of officials, is an tremendous achievement for the AFL."
The growth of the game was led by Queensland (25 percent) and New South Wales (16 percent), as well as traditional markets the Northern Territory (seven percent) and Victoria (four percent).
The census, which is conducted independently of the AFL, revealed that 59 per cent of all participants are involved in community club football - the core program for the ongoing development of the game.
