The development of Australia’s first codesigned National Sport Participation Strategy has garnered extensive feedback from nearly 7,000 Australians. Working in collaboration with sector stakeholders, the Australian Sports Commission aims to revolutionize the connection, delivery, and support of sport participation throughout the country. Over a span of five weeks, workshops were conducted in every state and territory, engaging key stakeholders to discuss ideas, opportunities, and challenges associated with participating in sports.

Representatives from various organizations, including national sporting bodies, organizations for people with disabilities, state sporting organizations, government entities at state and territory levels, community organizations, and local governments, attended the workshops, providing valuable feedback on the progress made thus far. Lisa Hasker, CEO of VicSport, expressed her enthusiasm for the Melbourne workshop, which brought together participation leaders from Victoria to address the future of sport participation. Key challenges identified within the sector include issues of duplication, communication, alignment, and the provision of customer-centric sports products that cater to individual needs.

Tim Matthews, Senior Performance & Talent Advisor at Paralympics Australia, acknowledged the difficulty of capturing the views of such a diverse sector, while emphasizing the potential of a national strategy to enhance participation for all Australians. By facilitating the identification of unique barriers and working towards systemic solutions, the strategy development process presents an opportunity for the sports industry to tackle these challenges comprehensively, benefiting everyone involved. Kylie Denny from Scouts ACT expressed her keen interest in the Canberra workshop, hoping to determine where activities like hiking, bushwalking, rock climbing, and caving fit into the broader sporting landscape. While not necessarily competitive, these activities promote physical activity, community engagement, and an active lifestyle.

Ben Keaney, President of Wrestling ACT, emphasized the integral role a national strategy plays in shaping the future of sport participation in Australia. He stressed the importance of sports adapting and evolving to encompass changes in technology, environment, and economics. By embracing dynamism, the industry can increase participation rates and achieve better outcomes for both sports and individuals. Additionally, a workshop session was conducted during the recent Participation Leaders Network conference held at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) campus in Canberra.

Adam Bishop, General Manager of Growth & Development at Athletics Australia, views the strategy as a catalyst to unite the sector and create a thriving, sustainable community sports industry. Its ultimate goal is to produce physically literate, connected, and happier Australians who enjoy improved health and well-being. In addition to the workshops, an online survey attracted feedback from approximately 6,500 individuals regarding the current state of sport participation. Moving forward, the Project Steering Group, established in March to support the strategy, will identify key concepts and themes, followed by targeted focus groups and pillar working groups, thereby propelling the development of the strategy.

Find out more about the strategy at www.ausport.gov.au/participation2032

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Photo Courtesy Australian Sports Commission

Courtesy Australian Sports Commission