sport
How to Get Involved in Perth Sports and What You Need to Know to Start
Perth clubs are opening doors for new players amid rising interest in local competitions.
How we reported this
Registrations for the 2026 winter sports season across Perth open on July 15 through more than 180 affiliated clubs.
Interest has climbed after recent international matches drew larger crowds to screens in pubs along Hay Street. Residents who watched the World Cup quarter-finals now seek their own teams rather than remaining spectators. Local leagues report early enquiries up 22 percent compared with the same period last year.
Where Perth residents can sign up
Two established entry points sit within easy reach of the central business district. The Western Australian Football Commission runs introductory sessions at Lathlain Park every Saturday morning for adults new to Australian rules. Meanwhile the Perth Soccer Association holds weekly open training at Dorrien Gardens in West Perth, where coaches assess fitness levels before placing players into graded sides. Both organisations accept walk-ins and provide equipment on the first visit.
Participants must supply only boots and a mouthguard for the initial sessions. Club volunteers handle the rest until members commit to a full season.
State government figures show 312,000 people played organised sport in Western Australia last year, with Perth accounting for 184,000 of them. Average adult registration fees sit at $195 for the winter season, while junior places cost $115. Insurance is included in every package.
What beginners should prepare before the first session
New players need to complete a simple online medical form and pay a $25 trial fee that converts to full membership if they continue. Trials run through the end of July at both Lathlain Park and Dorrien Gardens. After that, weekly training shifts to weekday evenings at 6.30 pm.
Those who attend two sessions receive a club shirt and fixture list. Transport links are straightforward: the Fremantle line stops at Lathlain station, while several bus routes serve Dorrien Gardens from the city centre. Clubs advise arriving fifteen minutes early to meet team managers and complete paperwork on site.