ASC initiative aims to ‘bust the myth’ that sport is only for ‘sporty’ people

A new Australian Sports Commission (ASC) - led initiative launched today aims to help more Australians find their place in sport and enjoy the benefits of being involved.

According to the ASC latest national AusPlay survey, while Australia is known as a sport loving nation, when it comes to participating in organised sport, more time is spent on the bench than on the playing field with only one in 10 Australians aged 15 and over taking part in organised sport each week.

The numbers aren’t much better for children with one in three playing organised sport outside of school each week.

Central to the new ASC-led project is a resource hub that will support sports to tell their story, no matter how big or small their organisation. The hub includes videos, posters and assets featuring players, coaches, volunteers and officials from clubs across Australia.

ASC Chief Executive Kieren Perkins said busting the myth that sport is only for ‘sporty’ people is key and notes “Sport has so many positive benefits – it connects communities and improves our physical and mental health and wellbeing. But some people aren’t giving sport a go because they think it is only for people who are good at it. Sport is for all of us and through Play Well, our national sport participation strategy, we are removing barriers so that everyone that wants to be involved can be involved in sport.”

Posters, social tiles and digital banners are also available in 11 languages including Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese and Cantonese that sports and clubs can personalise.

Perkins added “we know only around a quarter of Australians who speak a language other than English at home played organised sport in the past 12 months. We want all Australians to hear our message that they are welcome and have a place in sport in Australia.”

The activation complements the work already being done by the sector to make sport fun and encourage more Australians to get involved.

This includes developing a Physical Literacy Action Plan, establishing a national research unit to strengthen sport participation through evidence and insight and appointing a Disability Sport Advisory Group to champion inclusion in sport.

Learn more about the ASC Play Well Strategy