Active Ageing Through Sport: Exploring participation and identity in AFL Masters football

This research examines how AFL Masters, a modified Australian rules football competition for older adults, supports active ageing. With ageing populations facing increased health risks from sedentary lifestyles, this mixed-methods case study investigates competitive sport's role in keeping people active and socially connected as they age. The methodology adopts a national survey and focus groups involving current and lapsed AFL Masters members. Through the lens of social identity theory and WHO’s Active Ageing Policy Framework, this research aims to understand how sporting communities influence identity, belonging, and wellbeing. The study addresses how modified, high-impact sport can support active ageing, providing evidence-based recommendations for sporting organisations to enhance health outcomes and challenge conventional notions of ageing and physical activity.