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National Sport Participation Strategy

Thank you, Australia, for sharing your insights as we work together to develop the nation’s first codesigned National Sport Participation Strategy.

Our National Sport Participation Strategy survey was a huge hit with more than 6,600 Australians providing valuable insights into the sporting landscape. The figures below provide a breakdown of some of the survey respondent demographics and most commonly identified motivators and barriers to participating in sport.

Where particular groups or communities are not sufficiently represented in the survey responses there is opportunity for further consultation.

Bar graph showing how survey respondents are involved in sport: details below.
Pie chart displaying the gender of survey respondents. Details below
Pie chart showing the locations survey respondents live. Details below
Bar graph showing the reasons respondents gave for others not to participate in sport details below
Bar graph showing reasons why respondents don't volunteer in sport.

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1/5

More than half of those who completed the survey have children who participate in sport. More than 3,300 Australians also participate in sport themselves.

2/5

More females than males completed the survey. 16 respondents identified as non-binary, while 133 respondents identified as something else or preferred not to answer.

3/5

Out of the 6,600 survey responses, more than half were from urban areas.

4/5

Respondents highlighted a number of barriers to participating sport with cost seen as the biggest barrier followed by lack of confidence and knowledge of local opportunities.

5/5

When it comes to volunteering in sport you told us that the biggest barrier was not knowing how you could contribute, and that volunteering takes up too much time.

Bar graph showing how survey respondents are involved in sport: details below.
Pie chart displaying the gender of survey respondents. Details below
Pie chart showing the locations survey respondents live. Details below
Bar graph showing the reasons respondents gave for others not to participate in sport details below
Bar graph showing reasons why respondents don't volunteer in sport.

Previous

Graph details

Graph 1: Number of respondents who are involved in sport in each way

I work in a sport-related role

1381

I volunteer in community sport

2760

I participate in sport

3306

My children participate in sport

3407

None of the above

163

Graph 2:  Number of respondents by gender

Male

2167

Female

3051

non-binary

16

Something else

73

Prefer not to say

60

Graph 3:  Number of respondents by location

Urban

3554

Regional

1657

Remote

76

Prefer not to say

76

Graph 4:  Barriers to other people playing sport

Takes up too much time

22.0%

Injury/poor health

27.0%

Lack of knowledge of local opportunities

29.0%

Lack of confidence

34.0%

Too expensive to play/buy gear

45.0%

Too much emphasis on competition

17.0%

Playing/training times not flexible

22.0%

Not inclusive enough

11.0%

Other (please specify)

10.0%

There are no barriers

3.0%

Got other interests

25.0%

No clubs/facilities in the local area

19.0%

Graph 5: Barriers to volunteering

Takes up too much time

54.0%

Injury/poor health

17.0%

Not knowing what they could do

61.0%

Lack of confidence

44.0%

Lack of interest in sport

17.0%

Not enough flexibility in the roles

10.0%

Not enough flexibility in the timetable

14.0%

Not inclusive enough

13.0%

Other (please specify)

22.0%

There are no barriers

3.0%

About the strategy

In partnership with sector stakeholders, the ASC is facilitating the development of Australia's first codesigned National Sport Participation Strategy.

The objectives of the Strategy will be to:

  • Connect and align stakeholders that support the delivery of sport participation
  • Reimagine how participation is delivered in Australia, and define the strategic intent of participation
  • Change the face of sports participation to ensure it reflects the broader representation of Australian society now and into the future
  • Clarify the roles and responsibilities of the sport participation system across government and sport

Working under the guidance of a Project Steering Group the ASC will create a formal project governance structure, which reflects the diversity of the sport system and maximises the number of Australians contributing to insights, ideas and project outcomes.

What's next

We’ve been busy behind the scenes working through these responses and experts have spent the past few weeks shaping content, activities and measures for the strategy.

A co-design workshop in Sydney is up next and we will provide another update following this important milestone.

Sport is great, and great things are coming we cannot wait to share more soon.

We were thrilled to welcome the National Sport Participation Strategy Project Steering Group to the AIS. Hear why they’re passionate about transforming the way participation is connected, delivered and supported in Australia.

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