Participation

The fundamental building blocks of Australian sports are the 26 000 local sporting clubs that have played a key role in communities for more than 100 years. Grassroots sporting clubs provide better health outcomes for Australians of all ages.

They also help teach important Australians values—volunteerism, cooperation, leadership, teamwork, meeting challenges, defeating adversity and pursuing excellence. Sport plays a fundamental role in building healthy communities.

In many schools sport is now given a critically low level of priority and young people have more choices for their leisure time.

The Australian Government is committed to enhancing and promoting community sport and, through it, to building healthy and active Australian communities.

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) delivers the Government’s sports participation policy through a range of programs including the Active After-schools Communities Program, the Junior Sport Framework, the Club Development Network, the Disability Education Program, the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme and National Officiating Accreditation Scheme. For more details on these programs use the links to the right of this page.

The Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) is the Australian Government organisation that generates funds from the community and business sectors to assist schools and community groups develop sport. Find out more about the ASF from its website.