Focus on the elite in new Federal Government national sport strategy

The Federal Government has today launched what it calls “a new and united direction for sport in Australia”, looking to “leverage the power of sport to build healthy, active and connected communities, as well as a thriving sport system”.

Unveiling the National Sport Strategy, Sport Horizon, Federal Minister for Sport, Anika Wells stated “as we get ready to host the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics we need to make sure Australia’s sport system is ready to take on the world and use the Games to make a difference - both on and off the field.

“We need to make sure everyone has an opportunity to participate in grassroots sport and reap the benefits of enjoying a healthy, active and inclusive lifestyle that sport and recreation activities offer.

“Sports Horizon will ensure more people play and enjoy sport in a safe and welcoming environment. It will create world-leading pathways for our most talented people, and better support weekend warriors and the volunteers who turn local events into celebrations.

“It will leverage the power of sport to create social change, engage communities and grow our economy. We’ve recently seen this firsthand following the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, with more women and girls wanting to be active, wanting to play sport, wanting to be the next ‘Matilda’. Beyond motivating Australians to be active and enhancing community spirit and pride, the World Cup generated $1.32 billion in economic impact and attracted over 86,000 international visitors.”

Developed with and for the Australian sport sector, Sport Horizon is said to reflect “the diversity of the sector and the country, informed by extensive consultations with the sport ecosystem, the general public, and state and territory sport ministers and senior officials.”

The statement advising of the release of Sport Horizon adds that “the strategy will leverage the power of sport to build healthy, active and connected communities, as well as a thriving sport system. It aims to enhance coordination, collaboration, and alignment across all sports.”

It notes that its six priority areas are: Inclusion; Participation; Economy and Environment; High Performance; Safety; and International Engagement.

However, while claiming that the new strategy sets a “united direction” and that “the ‘green and gold’ decade of major sporting events leading up to, and including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, creates a window of opportunity to reimagine Australian sport and bring about unprecedented cooperation and alignment of the sector”, the strategy’s focus seems to be elite sport and channels into elite sport - to “nurture tomorrow’s champions today” rather than addressing wider issues of physical activity.

Nonetheless it notes that “the priorities will align with Australia’s National Sport Participation Strategy - Play Well, and Australia’s 2032+ High Performance Sport Strategy - Win Well.”

However, it makes no mention of Australia's physical activity guidelines, National Obesity Strategy or National Mental Health Strategy.

Click here for more information about Sport Horizon.