• Landmark national Strategy launched to transform sport participation to Brisbane 2032 and beyond
• Vision that ‘everyone has a place in sport’
• $10.3 million grant program opened to drive participation in sport and physical activity

Aussies are being called on to Play Well as part of the nation’s first co-designed Sport Participation Strategy released today.

With safe, welcoming, inclusive and fun experiences at the heart of it, Australia’s Sport Participation Strategy is a united approach with a vision that ‘everyone has a place in sport.’

The new Strategy and the Play Well ethos compliments Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy, which is built on creating an environment where athletes and sports can Win Well.

Our own Executive Officer Meghan Mayman was on the Strategy’s Project Steering Group, and played an important role representing industry in developing the Strategy.

“Sport is more than wins and losses,” she said.

“It creates opportunities to connect, gather and support one another.

Everyone involved in delivering sport helps determine if participants have a positive experience and return. We need to support the people who make sport possible as it will give us the best chance of achieving our vision – that everyone has a place in sport.”

Creating great sporting environments and experiences is central to the Strategy which focuses on people of all ages, backgrounds, genders and abilities coming together to access the benefits of sport.

To mark the launch, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), through support from the Australian Government, has opened a $10.3 million Play Well Participation Grant program to kickstart this exciting new era.

ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM is a member of the Strategy’s Project Steering Group which oversaw the development of the Strategy and said it’s a defining moment for Australian sport.

“Sport matters to so many Australians but our experiences engaging with sport have been vastly different,” Perkins said.

“We’ve listened to the system and we recognise that sport needs to change so that everyone feels welcome.

“We acknowledge that delivering community sport is getting harder. Spaces to play sport are few and far between, especially in regional areas, and the current sport system is often too structured which turns participants away.

“By working together, we can address some of the barriers and challenges and build a stronger Australia.”

The Strategy is built around six priority areas:

• Empowering people and organisations
• Driving lifelong involvement
• Activating places and spaces
• Building connections
• Equitable access
• Transforming culture

The Strategy provides a roadmap over three horizons to 2032 and beyond.

The ASC’s Play Well Participation Grant program is a key activity of the Strategy’s Horizon 1 which focuses on aligning the sector and driving participation in sport.

National sport and physical activity organisations will be able to apply for grants to deliver innovative projects that drive a lifelong involvement in sport.

Local Government Councils can also apply for funding to host Come & Try days and multi-sport festivals in their communities that promote equitable access for all. Applications for the Play Well Participation Grant Programare open until 23 February 2024.