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Role Models and Sport

How the sport sector can identify and utilise diverse role models to engage and inspire people to improve individual and community outcomes.

A common phrase, used in many spheres, is 'you can't be what you can't see'. One of the primary values of role models, and role model programs, is their ability to demonstrate diversity, inclusion, and to encourage preferred behaviours. 1, 2, 3, 4

Role model programs and research in sport and physical activity are often focused on children and young people, as well as specific demographic groups including women and girls, First Nations, persons with disability, LGBTQ+, and culturally diverse communities. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

The aim is to increase sport participation and/or address other broader community objectives (such as health and wellbeing, community development, crime and domestic violence reduction). 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Despite the common focus on elite athletes as role models, research suggests that people in our direct circle of family and relationships – including parents, teachers, and coaches – can have more positive and long-term impacts. 14, 15, 16, 17

"A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people." (Dictionary.com, opens in a new tab)

Key Statistics

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In 2024, around 9% of Australians (15 years and over) were motivated to participate in sport or physical activity to act as a role model or to encourage others to participate. This motivation was strongest for people aged 35-44 years (14%). 20

Female runner

A 2015 longitudinal study of Australian female adolescents found that girls whose role models participated in sport, were more physically active than those whose role models did not participate. 14

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In a 2024 study, the need for visible and active LGBTIQA+ role models in all aspects of sport, was highlighted as an enabler of sport participation and signal that sport/s are safe, welcoming, and inclusive. 18

A netball

A report into First Nations engagement and retention in netball in Western Australia found that the desire to coach, mentor, or be a role model was the fifth most common motivator for participation. 2

Runner with a prosthetic leg

In 2024-25, 71% of Australians surveyed felt that Paralympic and disability sport athletes were good role models from them personally. 19

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In a 2022 representative survey of European elite athletes, 71% were motivated to be role models, but only 48% saw themselves as currently being one. 52% of athletes felt that society expected them to be role models. 6

Types of Role Models

Research consistently highlights athletes, coaches, and family as key role models across the life course. However, other people – including friends, teachers, and the broader community – can also be role models in promoting positive engagement in sport, education, and other healthy behaviours. 9, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55

  • Athletes

    Athletes

    Elite and/or high profile athletes are often identified as role models, and both positive and negative behaviours come under intense scrutiny.
  • Coaches

    Coaches

    Coaches at all levels influence their players/athletes. Their philosophy and method of coaching can shape attitudes, motivation, and impact upon participants wellbeing.
  • Family

    Family

    Parents are generally the strongest role models for their children’s participation in sport and physical activity.

Impact

More information on the benefits and impact of role models for different groups is available in these Clearinghouse Evidence Base topics:

Role Model Programs

Many organisations and programs not only utilise role models and mentors to encourage positive health, social, and wellbeing behaviours and/or address broader community objectives, but also actively work to develop future role models from all levels of the community. 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Examples of programs with both objectives include:

List of charities established by Australian athletes, opens in a new tab (Wikipedia)

  • Community Partnership Program, Australian Sports Commission. Program to connect high performance athletes with community organisations who align with their values and passions to experience a wide range of meaningful engagements and explore a new purpose outside of their sport career.
  • Scholarship & Mentoring Program, opens in a new tab, Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Aims to assist young elite Australians to reach the highest level of their chosen sport by providing financial support and more importantly, unrivalled access to mentoring from a Sport Australia Hall of Fame Member.

  • AIS Problem Solvers Program, Australian Sports Commission. An interactive and Australian curriculum aligned program, delivered for free, that encourages primary school students to engage in design thinking, problem solving and learn from high performance athletes.
  • Athlete Speakers in Schools, opens in a new tab, Western Australian Institute of Sport. Athletes regularly speak at schools across WA, including going back to their own high school and sharing their experiences. Sharing their journey including the work and challenges overcome including messages on champion behaviours have proven to be a source of inspiration for young people.
  • Community Programs, opens in a new tab, Victorian Institute of Sport. Offers programs for government and non-government schools including tours and in-school experiences with athletes to share experiences and positive messages about health, wellbeing, and performance.
  • Imagine School Visits, opens in a new tab, Paralympic Australia. An interactive, school-based initiative designed to inspire Year 3–6 primary school students in Queensland and New South Wales to champion inclusion, challenge perceptions of disability and build positive social behaviours.
  • Olympics Unleashed, opens in a new tab, Australian Olympic Committee. Takes Olympians and aspiring Olympians into Australian schools to inspire and motivate students to be their personal best.

  • Indigenous Marathon Foundation, opens in a new tab. Established in 2009 by world marathon champion Rob de Castella. It is a health promotion charity that uses running to celebrate Indigenous resilience and achievement and create inspirational Indigenous leaders.
  • Red Dust, opens in a new tab. A health promotion organisation that delivers innovative health promotion programs in partnership with remote communities. The Red Dust Role Models come from a variety of disciplines, including sport, art and music, but are also recognised for their mentoring and teaching capabilities.
  • Share a Yarn, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission. Creates space for current or former Australian high-performance First Nations athletes to yarn, reflect, and reconnect with their identity beyond high-performance sport. Through meaningful relationships with mentors, Elders, and peers, athletes are reminded that culture is a source of strength, resilience, and wellbeing.
  • Coaching Unlimited, opens in a new tab. A national coaching education program that provides sport-specific coaching accreditation, and research-based health promotion workshops, to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples become sport coaches and community leaders.

  • Mental Fitness Program, Australian Sports Commission. The program sees current and former elite athletes deliver powerful talks to high school aged people about how to keep mentally fit through sharing evidence-based research and stories of resilience.
  • Social Impact Ambassadors, opens in a new tab, National Rugby League (NRL). Ambassadors have been trained to deliver and facilitate programs include key themes such as mental health, inclusion & diversity and gender-based violence prevention.

  • Paralympic Speakers Program, opens in a new tab, Paralympics Australia. Paralympic athletes have powerful stories about how resilience, teamwork, and commitment can overcome adversity. This program allows Paralympic athletes to share their story and inspire others.

  • Thrive with Pride Program, Australian Sports Commission. Aims to support current or former Australian high-performance rainbow athletes and allies with driving LGBTIQ+ inclusion initiatives within Australian sporting communities to help celebrate and empower LGBTIQ+ peoples.

  • Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered, opens in a new tab, University of Newcastle. A suite of evidence-based programs that engage fathers/father-figures as role models for their primary school-aged daughters to promote physical activity, enhance sport skills and wellbeing, strengthen family bonds, and advance gender equity.
  • Minerva Network, opens in a new tab. Provides mentoring from leading professional women, development programs, networking opportunities and scholarships for Australia's best female athletes to support success during and beyond sport.

Louise Sauvage with athletes who are taking part in a Talent Identification event

REFERENCES
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  5. The influence of role models on the engagement of people with disabilities in sport: a scoping review, opens in a new tab, B. Bittar, Priscilla, Márcio Pereira Morato, Janine Coates, et al., European Federation of Adapted Physical Activity, (2025).
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  27. Role Model or Quitter? Social Media’s Response to Simone Biles at Tokyo 2020, opens in a new tab, Steph Doehler, International Journal of Sport Communication, Volume 16(1), pp. 64-79, (2023).
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  48. Participation in physical activity and sport in adolescent girls from Middle Eastern backgrounds,, opens in a new tab Nariman Dennaoui, Gregory S. Kolt, Justin M. Guagliano, et al., Ethnicity and Health, Volume 29(7), pp.756-773, (2024).
  49. “Dad! Let's go have a hit…”: Sources and types of support in female cricket players,, opens in a new tab John Warmenhoven, Juanita R. Weissensteiner, Clare MacMahon, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Volume 23(10), pp.991-998, (October 2020).
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Last updated: 29 January 2026 Content disclaimer: See Clearinghouse for Sport disclaimer

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