Australia’s leading sport stars involved in the 2011 Captains’ Forum have highlighted how leadership can be a key factor in making sport inclusive for all Australians, particularly Indigenous Australians.

A video of sporting leaders in action at the forum in Sydney earlier this month is now available online.

Former Australian rugby union team captain John Eales, the driving force behind the Captains’ Forum, highlighted to event participants that how sports leaders act is just as important as what they say.

‘You need to be able to lead by example both on and off the field,’ Eales said.

The 2011 forum focused on initiatives to support safe, fair and inclusive sporting environments, with a priority being to make sure everyone can access sport, especially Indigenous children and youth.

Australian cricket team captain Michael Clarke is passionate about seeing more kids involved in sport.

‘I think it is a really important part of all sport to give every kid, no matter what their background, no matter where they come from, the same opportunities and that is our goal,’ he said.

The forum is a partnership between the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, the Australian Government and national sporting organisations who believe in the importance of sporting leaders coming together to discuss issues facing Australian sport.

Minster for Sport Mark Arbib opened the day and said it was fantastic to see so many sporting captains and leaders participating.

‘All the leaders at the forum have experienced different journeys to success and it was exciting to join them for this opportunity which allowed participants to share their stories and learn from others,’ Senator Arbib said.

Senator Arbib said a particular focus of the forum was discussion of the Learn. Earn. Legend! program which uses sporting role models to encourage Indigenous children to stay in school and work hard to increase their career and study options.

‘Many sports represented at the forum already work with the government with their own Learn. Earn. Legend! programs,’ Senator Arbib said.

‘The significance of sport for young Indigenous Australians is extremely important and it is fantastic all the sports represented at the forum recognise this.’

The Captains’ Forum initiative builds on the Australian Government’s additional investment of $44 million over four years to boost participation in sport.