Our best sporting side

As Australia’s demographic profile becomes more diverse and social values shift, organised sports in Australia will also transform and reflect these changes.

Persistent societal challenges such as racism, violence, abuse and other poor behaviours in sport have elevated the importance of sports integrity, safety and ethics in the sports industry at all levels. Stronger accountability, reporting structures and advocacy for vulnerable Australians will place further pressures on sports to provide a safe and welcoming place for all.

Community-driven sports clubs will increasingly seek to tap into the benefits of engaging a broader cross-section of Australian society. Many will place more emphasis on providing positive participant experiences and promoting inclusive behaviours on- and off-field. Growth in competing markets and competition for new participants will also provide further impetus for sporting organisations and clubs to implement positive change.

In the coming decades sports organisations will be faced with even stronger social licence obligations and will seek well-informed practices to encourage diversity, inclusivity and fair-play and offer athletes more choice, advocacy and individual expression.