AboutContact UsRegister
Clearinghouse for Sport
The information and knowledge sharing platform for Australian sport

Factors Influencing Participation

What motivates people to participate in sport and physical activity can change over time and will be influenced by individual, cultural, and social factors. 1, 2

Program designers and providers need to work with individual communities to build relationships, autonomy, and to leverage the influence of people and environments to help engage First Nations individuals and communities in sport and physical activity programs. 3, 4, 55

Motivators

Top motivations to participate in sport and physical activity by First Nations people [aged 18+] 5

  • Physical health or fitness
  • Fun/enjoyment
  • To lose weight/keep weight off/tone
  • To be outdoors/to enjoy nature

  • Social reasons
  • Psychology/mental health/therapy
  • Sense of achievement
  • Hobby

Children swimming in a pool holding kick boards out in front

Facilitators and Barriers

Australian and international research and reports have identified multiple factors that can facilitate or provide barriers to First Nations individuals' participation in sport.

  • Facilitators

    Facilitators

    What encourages First Nations individuals' to take part in sport.
  • Barriers

    Barriers

    What holds First Nations individuals' back from participating in sport.
  • Further resources and reading

    Further resources and reading

    Dive deeper into the research on what supports and limits First Nations peoples' participation in sport.

Factors that Impact

Understanding the potential barriers and facilitators to participation in specific contexts can make a significant difference in maintaining and growing the number of players, volunteers, and fans who engage and participate regularly in sport. This has flow on effects for the long-term sustainability of individual sports, organisations, and the sport sector more broadly. 13, 17, 23

There are some factors identified in the literature that are specific to—or have a high impact on—First Nations sport participation.

  • First Nations women

    First Nations women

    To encourage more First Nations women to participate in sport, it is important to listen to and collaborate with women in the community.
  • Role models

    Role models

    Role models demonstrate attainable success in sport at all levels, counteract negative stereotypes, and represent possible future states.
  • Socio-cultural

    Socio-cultural

    First Nations peoples have diverse languages, histories, and customs. Individuals’ social, geographic, and life circumstances can be very different.
  • Program design

    Program design

    Programs that are provided or imposed without significant consultation are unlikely to benefit First Nations individuals or communities.
  • Racism

    Racism

    Racism, discrimination, and vilification are commonly reported barriers to sport participation for First Nations individuals.

REFERENCES
  1. Sport and physical activity play important roles for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but there are barriers to participation, opens in a new tab, Rona Macniven, Bridget Allen, John Evans, The Conversation, (1 October 2021).
  2. Correlates of physical activity among Australian Indigenous and non‐Indigenous adolescents, opens in a new tab, Rona Macniven, Shane Hearn, Anne Grunseit, et.al., Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Volume 41(2), pp.187-192, (2017).
  3. Perceived barriers and enablers to participation in a community-tailored physical activity program with Indigenous Australians in a regional and rural setting: a qualitative study, opens in a new tab, Ashleigh Sushames, Terry Engelberg, and Klaus Gebel, International Journal for Equity in Health, Volume 16, (2017).
  4. An evaluation of an Australian Aboriginal controlled-community organization’s remote sports-based programme: a qualitative investigation, opens in a new tab, Louisa R. Peraltaa and Renata L. Cinelli, Sport in Society, Volume 19(7), pp.973-989, (2016).
  5. AusPlay Data Portal, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 11 August 2025).
  6. Sisterhood in their stride, opens in a new tab, Teisha Cloos, National Indigenous Times, (22 October 2021).
  7. Sport and sistahood: Garnduwa Aboriginal Corporation empowers women through sport, opens in a new tab, Teisha Cloos, National Indigenous Times, (2 September 2021).
  8. Sport can be an important part of Aboriginal culture for women – but many barriers remain, opens in a new tab, Michelle O'Shea, Hazel Maxwell, Megan Stronach, Sonya Pearce, The Conversation, (23 January 2020).
  9. Indigenous Australians' Participation in Sports and Physical Activities: Part 1, Literature and AusPlay data review, ORC International prepared for the Australian Sports Commission, (May 2017).
  10. Indigenous Australian women promoting health through sport, opens in a new tab, Megan Stronach, Hazel Maxwell, Sonya Pearce, Sport Management Review, Volume 22(1), pp.5-20, (2019).
  11. Indigenous Australians Perceptions’ of Physical Activity: A Qualitative Systematic Review, opens in a new tab, Emma Dahlberg, Sandra Hamilton, Fatuma Hamid, et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Volume 15(7), (2018).
  12. After the Siren: The community benefits of Indigenous participation in Australia Rules Football, opens in a new tab. Michael Dockery and Sean Gorman, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, (September 2017).
  13. Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity and Sport Participation Experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Adults: A Mixed Method Review, opens in a new tab, Bridget Allen, Karla Canuto, John Robert Evans, et.al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Volume 18(18), 9893, (September 2021).
  14. The Barriers and Facilitators of Sport and Physical Activity Participation for Aboriginal Children in Rural New South Wales, Australia: A Photovoice Project, opens in a new tab, Sarah Liew, Josephine Gwynn, Janice Smith, et.al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Volume 19(4), 1986, (February 2022).
  15. Black Diamonds Report, opens in a new tab, Glass Jar, (April 2022).
  16. The community network: an Aboriginal community football club bringing people together, opens in a new tab, Alister Thorpe, Wendy Anders, Kevin Rowley, Australian Journal of Primary Health, Volume 20(4), pp.356-364, (2014).
  17. Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic review, opens in a new tab, Tamara May, Amanda Dudley, James Charles, et.al., BMC Public Health, Volume 20, Article no.:601, (2020).
  18. ‘It’s more than just performing well in your sport. It’s also about being healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually’: Indigenous women athletes’ meanings and experiences of flourishing in sport, opens in a new tab, Leah Ferguson, Gillian Epp, Kellie Wuttunee, et.al., Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, Volume 11(1), pp.1-19, (2019).
  19. The “ripple effect”: Health and community perceptions of the Indigenous Marathon Program on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, Australia, opens in a new tab, Rona Macniven, Suzanne Plater, Karla Canuto, et.al., Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Volume 29(3), pp.304-313, (2018).
  20. What's the Score? A survey of cultural diversity and racism in Australian sport, opens in a new tab, Paul Oliver, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, (2006).
  21. Indigenous Australians' Participation in Sports and Physical Activities: Part 2, Qualitative research, ORC International prepared for the Australian Sports Commission, (March 2018).
  22. Opportunities, Barriers, and Constraints To Physical Activity in Rural Queensland, Australia, opens in a new tab. Eley R, Bush R, Brown W, Journal of Physical Activity and Health Volume 11(1), pp.68-75, (2014).
  23. Indigenous Health Education Program, opens in a new tab, Paralympics Australia, (2018-2020).
  24. Barriers and Enablers to Older Indigenous People Engaging in Physical Activity—A Qualitative Systematic Review, opens in a new tab, Margaret J.R. Gidgup, Marion Kickett, Tammy Weselman, et.al., Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, (18 August 2021).
  25. Sport for development and Indigenous Australians: a critical research agenda for policy and practice, opens in a new tab, Ryan Lucas, Ruth Jeanes, Zane Diamond, Leisure Studies, Volume 40(2), pp.276-285, (2021).
  26. Indigenous Australian women and sport: findings and recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry, opens in a new tab, Hazel Maxwell, Megan Stronach, Daryl Adair, et al., Sport in Society, Volume 20(11), pp.1500-1529, (2017).
  27. Sistas’ and Aunties: sport, physical activity, and Indigenous Australian women, opens in a new tab, Stronach, Megan, Maxwell, Hazel, Taylor, Tracy , Annals of Leisure Research >, Volume 19(1), pp.7-26, (2016).
  28. Women in remote Aboriginal region striving to be AFL stars as footy brings community together, opens in a new tab. Emily Jane Smith, ABC Kimberley, (14 September 2017).
  29. The facilitators and barriers of physical activity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander regional sport participants, opens in a new tab, Claudie Péloquin, Thomas Doering, Stephanie Alley, et al., Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, Volume 41(5), pp.474-479, (2017).
  30. AFLW illustrates importance of Indigenous role models, opens in a new tab, Tash Gunawardana, Siren, (18 August 2020).
  31. Why are so few professional sport coaches from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?, opens in a new tab Andrew Bennie, Demelza Marlin, Nicholas Apoifis, The Conversation, (13 June 2016).
  32. Estimates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, opens in a new tab, Australian Bureau of Statistics, (June 2021)
  33. Profile of First Nations people, opens in a new tab, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (2 July 2024)
  34. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Census: Information on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including language and ancestry, opens in a new tab, Australian Bureau of Statistics, (28 June 2022).
  35. Language Statistics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, opens in a new tab, Australian Bureau of Statistics, (25 October 2022).
  36. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population approaching 1 million, opens in a new tab, Australian Bureau of Statistics, (21 September 2022).
  37. Football's Indigenous Engagement: State of Play, opens in a new tab, Professional Footballers Australia on behalf of John Moriarty Football, (November 2018).
  38. Physical activity across the life stages, opens in a new tab, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (2018).
  39. Indigenous ways of knowing and doing connected to physical literacy, diversity and collaboration in sport, opens in a new tab [Canada], Greg Henhawk, Wes Chen, Caela Fenton and Veronica Allan, SIRCuit, (25 July 2022).
  40. To play Papunya: the problematic interface between a remote Aboriginal community and the organization of Australian Football in Central Australia, opens in a new tab, Barry Judd, Tim Butcher, Sport in Society, volume 18(5), pp. 543-551, (2015).
  41. Winyarr Ganbina - Women Arise, opens in a new tab, Victoria University, Outback Academy Australia, Paralympics Australia, (2022).
  42. Do Better — Independent review into Collingwood Football Club’s responses to Incidents of Racism and Cultural Safety in the Workplace, opens in a new tab, Professor Larissa Behrendt, Professor Lindon Coombes, UTS, (2020).
  43. Are We One?: The Ontario University Athletics Anti-Racism Report, opens in a new tab, Joseph, J., Razack, S., McKenzie, B., IDEAS Research Lab, University of Toronto, (October 2021).
  44. Thirty years ago Nicky Winmar took a stand against racism. Young players continue to follow his lead, opens in a new tab, Rachael Knowles, NITV/SBS, (31 March 2023).
  45. Queensland Firebirds 'missed an opportunity' by benching Jemma Mi Mi in Super Netball's Indigenous Round, opens in a new tab, Brittany Carter, ABC, (22 September 2020).
  46. The Australian Dream, opens in a new tab, Madman Entertainment, (2019).
  47. The Australian Dream tells Adam Goodes' story but its message is universal, opens in a new tab, Stan Grant, ABC, (3 September 2019).
  48. AFL statement on Hawthorn independent investigation, opens in a new tab, Australian Football League, (30 May 2023).
  49. A not guilty verdict at a suburban league tribunal has shone a spotlight on racism issues in club football, opens in a new tab, Russell Jackson, ABC Sport, (19 July 2021).
  50. Racial abuse is rife in junior sports – and little is being done to address it, opens in a new tab, Karen Farquharson, Ramon Spaaij, Ruth Jeanes, The Conversation, (14 June 2019).
  51. Racism is not just a sporting matter, it is a matter for all Australians, opens in a new tab, Tracey Holmes, The Ticket/ABC Sport, (12 January 2021).
  52. Insights & Impact Report: Edition 3, opens in a new tab, AFL Players Association, (May 2024).
  53. Racism. It stops with me, opens in a new tab, Australian Human Rights Commission, (accessed 11 August 2025).
  54. Physical activity and the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations people, opens in a new tab, Macniven R, Tishler X, McKeon G, et al., Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, catalogue number IMH 021, (December 2023).
  55. Victoria's anti-racism strategy 2024-2029, opens in a new tab, Victorian Government, (2024).

See more on this topic:

Is this information complete? The Clearinghouse for Sport is a sector-wide knowledge sharing initiative, and as such your contributions are encouraged and appreciated. If you would like to suggest a resource, submit a publication, or provide feedback on this topic, please contact us.

Back to top

Working together for Australian sport

C4S-Footer-Sport Integrity Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Sport Integrity Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Australian Sports Foundation logo
C4S-Footer-Australian Sports Foundation logo
C4S-Footer-Australian Olympic Committee
C4S-Footer-Australian Olympic Committee
C4S-Footer-Paralympics Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Paralympics Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Commonwealth Games Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Commonwealth Games Australia logo
C4S-Footer-SAHOF
C4S-Footer-SAHOF
C4S-Footer-Invictus Australia logo
C4S-Footer-Invictus Australia logo
C4S-Footer-PLA
C4S-Footer-PLA
C4S-Footer-ACT Gov
C4S-Footer-ACT Gov
C4S-Footer-NSW Gov
C4S-Footer-NSW Gov
C4S-Footer-NT Gov
C4S-Footer-NT Gov
C4S-Footer-QLD Gov
C4S-Footer-QLD Gov
C4S-Footer-SA Gov
C4S-Footer-SA Gov
C4S-Footer-Tas Gov
C4S-Footer-Tas Gov
C4S-Footer-Vic Gov
C4S-Footer-Vic Gov
C4S-Footer-WA Gov
C4S-Footer-WA Gov
C4S-Footer-ACTAS
C4S-Footer-ACTAS
C4S-Footer-NSWIS
C4S-Footer-NSWIS
C4S-Footer-NT
C4S-Footer-NT
C4S-Footer-QAS
C4S-Footer-QAS
C4S-Footer-SASI
C4S-Footer-SASI
C4S-Footer-TIS
C4S-Footer-TIS
C4S-Footer-VIS
C4S-Footer-VIS
C4S-Footer-WAIS
C4S-Footer-WAIS
ASC’s First Nations artwork titled KINSHIP. An indigenous painting by Brad Hore OLY encompassing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural elements to represent the ASC.
The Clearinghouse for Sport pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge the valuable contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to Australian society and sport.