Major Event Impact and Legacy
What is less clear is how major sporting events in Australia help to create shared experiences, foster a collective national identity, and inspire some to participate in sport and become more active.
Background
We know that hosting major sporting events entertains many Australians, contributes to local business activity and economies, and promotes Australia as a tourism destination to international audiences [Post-Games Sustainability Report, opens in a new tab, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation, 2018].
What is less clear is how major sporting events in Australia help to create shared experiences, foster a collective national identity, and inspire some to participate in sport and become more active.
What we do know can be found in our evidence base topic:
Proposed Research Focus
What is the potential social and economic impact of hosting major events such as the Olympic, Paralympic, and Commonwealth Games?
We are seeking to update and expand on past analysis, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts for local, rural, regional, metropolitan, state, territory, and national organisations and jurisdictions relating to:
- Economic development and competitive advantage.
- Community engagement and social inclusion.
- Sustainability and environmental management.
- Inclusion and human rights.
What are key strategies for government, business, and society to leverage the potential benefits of major sporting events? Including benefits of infrastructure built for those events.
We are seeking to identify effective measures to maximise the return on investment (ROI) of hosting events, including:
- Community engagement.
- Increasing funding for organisations and participation programs.
- Prioritising ‘universal design’ to help grow participation and development pathways.
- International reputation.
How can host communities and host nations leverage major sporting events to improve participation engagement?
We are seeking to identify key strategies, programs and practices that help translate increased engagement during events into effective improvements in:
- Individuals playing sport.
- Individuals volunteering and working in sport.
- Community engagement, pride, and inspiration.
