International practice

• Future of Global Sport, opens in a new tab, Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, (2019). The document aggregates the views of thought leaders and decision-makers from sport, business and government. It addresses political, social, technological, legal and economic influences, all of which are impacting International Federation (IF) decision-making and the model under which sport will be managed going forward.

• Mapping of innovative practices in the EU to promote sport outside of traditional structures: Final report, opens in a new tab, European Union, (2021). The aim of this study was to provide an understanding of how sport practice is evolving in society and how the sport movement is adapting to this evolution. The study mapped innovative initiatives developed to promote sport and physical activity in 27 EU Member States and provides an overall analysis of the key characteristics of these initiatives that drive innovation in the practice of sport. The analysis of the collected good practices has led to the identification of wider trends related to how innovation appears in the context of new initiatives to promote sport and physical activity, according to three criteria: the novelty elements, the barrier to be overcome,and the creation of social value.

Research in New Zealand has found many similarities with Australian research. The Future of Sport in New Zealand, opens in a new tab (2015) report identified various themes that are influencing New Zealand sport and suggests that sporting organisations must recognise:

• that sport is a matter of choice and it competes for people’s time; it must insure a viable offering.
• the importance of forming alliances across related sectors (health, tourism, education, etc.), aligning with both government and private sector.
• the need to adapt and tap into new, as well as traditional, forms of competition and memberships.
• the role of new technology as both a potential competitor and facilitator in creating attractive and innovative experiences.

Information from the Active NZ Survey, opens in a new tab (2018) of nationwide participation in play, active recreation, and sport also shows similar trends to Australia, including the growth of participation choices and greater emphasis on recreational and social sport activities.

Ensuring the sector is fit for the future, opens in a new tab, Sport New Zealand, (accessed 11 January 2024). In today’s world of accelerating change, we need to be well-positioned to respond and adapt to changes, and think and act longer-term to make sure the future of sport and recreation is bright for future generations. Influences such as climate change, advances in technology and changes in society are shaping the future of the sport sector. The COVID-19 global pandemic is the most recent, and wide-reaching, influence that we are having to deal with. Sport NZ is encouraging organisations to set aside time to think about the future and better prepare for it, and in so doing, position itself to be fit for purpose and sustainable. This is where futures thinking can help. Includes free resources and tools to help organisations with their own futures thinking.

• Drivers of Change, opens in a new tab. Sport NZ monitors different challenges, opportunities and considerations, providing a quarterly disruptor scan to capture movement in the disruptors that could impact the future of recreation and sport.
• Reports, opens in a new tab. Here you’ll find a range of reports, including some developed for specific sports, to help give context to the challenge we’re facing.
• Scanning, opens in a new tab. Sport NZ has produced 12 environmental scans that explore likely drivers of change, and the possible implications of these drivers.

• Class of 2035: How sport can empower a generation to build a brighter tomorrow, opens in a new tab, Foresight Factory for Youth Sport Trust, (September 2021). This second edition of the Class of 2035 shines a light on the challenges facing a generation of young people in the UK today. The first part of this report, we explore the findings of new quantitative research conducted across 5-16 year olds in the UK, exploring core attitudes and behaviours towards their physical and mental wellbeing, as well as their engagement with sport. This second part sets out four different scenarios for how the future role of sport in young people’s lives could play out over the coming years to 2035. It ends with a set of recommendations for how we might work together towards the optimum scenario where a universal entitlement to sport and play is helping to improve the education and development of every young person.
• Future Trends: Innovating to grow participation in sport, opens in a new tab, Warriner J, Sport and Recreation Alliance and Future Foundation, (2014). Debate between technophiles and traditionalists is particularly heated when it comes to sport. The technologies and trends discussed in this report may help to bridge the gap between amateur and professional, participant and non-participant; as well as making quality coaching, information feedback, and support available to everyone. New forms of entertainment and technologies are capturing the attention of young people, so the sport and recreation sector must adapt and harness this potential to remain relevant. This report discusses five future technological trends and their impact upon sport and physical activity:
  • The quantified self – using technology to capture real-time information about sport participation, fitness, and performance,
  • Gaming – leveraging connected technologies to motivate, inspire, and connect users,
  • Healthy hedonism – any modern indulgence must have a health-centered proposition and the sport sector can expect these developments to affect choices,
  • Performance perfection – innovation in the way in which people interact, particularly online, will be driving sports and influencing participation choices,
  • The cult of the home – numerous in-home technologies already exist (Wii Fit, Xbox Kinect, BitGym, etc.) and these will continue to expand as our population becomes more urban based.