Factors influencing sport participation

A 2023 survey by the Australian Sports Commission of 6,600 individuals found that sport being ‘too expensive to play/buy gear’ was the most identified barrier. ¹

'Cost' is consistently identified in the literature as a barrier to sport and physical activity participation, although financial cost is not always the primary consideration. ^{2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

The 'cost' of sport can include:

• Time – commitment to organised sports participation is also often seen as a 'cost' and therefore, becomes a potential barrier. This includes the time commitment by the player or volunteer and, in the case of a child, the time commitment of parents and family. ^{3, 7}
• Investment – registration fees, uniforms, equipment, game fees, etc. Specific costs can vary by sport, age of participant, and location. ^{1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14}
• Travel - Additional costs associated with transportation (petrol, time, public transport fees, etc.) ^{3, 9, 10, 12, 15}
• Opportunity – the cost of other activities that participants could be doing instead (e.g. study, unstructured time with friends or family, working, etc.)  ^{3, 6, 12, 16, 17}
• Service – Volunteering within the sports club system, especially among parents, can also be perceived as a social obligation, where individuals feel compelled to volunteer time, over-and-above the monetary outlay for sport. ^{6, 8}

Emerging trends suggest that these various 'cost' factors, and in particular cost-of-living increases, time, and opportunity costs, have made alternative forms of physical activity and recreation in less structured environments (compared to clubs) more attractive. ^{4, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20}

There is limited detailed data available on the direct financial costs of sport participation, especially how costs vary between different sports/activities or geographical location (e.g. states, territories, regional, metropolitan, etc.). ^{2, 4, 21}

The Australian Sports Commission's AusPlay survey collects information on the amounts individuals and parents report paying for themselves or their children to participate in sport and physical activities.

In 2022:

60% of Australians aged 15 years and over, paid to participate in sport or physical activity. ²²

• The average (mean) cost per year was $1170. Across all age groups there isn't a significant difference between costs for males ($1146) or female ($1195) expenditure. ²²
• Mean expenditure broken down by sports and recreation clubs and associations averaged around $554 for the calendar year, suggesting that there is significant cost variance, and possibly multiple sports, or other activities (such as gym memberships or private training and coaching) that are included in the mean cost per year figures. ²³

95% of participating children (0-14 years) took paid to participate in organised sport and physical activities outside of school hours. ²²

• The average (mean) amount paid to participate was $1181. Parents appear to spend more on girls' activities ($1325) than boys’ ($1038). ²²
• Median payments broken down by sports and recreation clubs and associations were around $885 for the calendar year, suggesting that there is significant cost variance, and possibly multiple sports, or other activities (such as private dance or swimming lessons) included in the average spend across all activities. ²³

Australian and international research and reports have identified how cost as a barrier can impact different groups within the population. ^{7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 24}

There may also be additional intersectional factors that can make cost more or less of a barrier to participation (e.g. the intersection of living in a rural or regional area and being in a higher or lower income household). ^{2, 12, 13, 24, 25, 26}

Clearinghouse for Sport topics with additional information on cost as a factor influencing participation include:

• Australia's First Nations Peoples and Sport. Cost, including time (to participate, but also as competing commitments to family, community, or work), transportation, fees, uniforms, equipment, etc. can all impact on the participation of First Nations individuals.
• Socio-economic Status and Sport. Socio-economic status is often seen as part of an intersectional understanding of how multiple factors can impact on an individual’s experience of discrimination or privilege in different aspects of their lives, including sport and physical activity participation.
• Sport and persons with disability. For participants with disability there are often additional costs on top of those that all participants might have (e.g. registration fees, uniforms, etc.). For example, transportation, specialised equipment, additional entrance fees if they need someone to provide assistance can all be additional costs that need to be covered by individuals, families, or organisations who want to encourage participation.
• Volunteers in Sport. Two of the most frequently identified barriers to volunteering are costs (out-of-pocket expenses, travel, meals, training, specialist software/equipment) and time.
• Women in Sport. The cost of child care, transport, specific clothing/equipment and the expense of training and competitions are barriers that have been identified for women and girls.
• Cost of Sports Injuries. The benefits of sport and physical activity are well established, but the risk of injury associated with participation are also real and can have significant personal and societal costs.

Recognising that financial cost is often a barrier several Australian state and territory governments currently offer 'sport vouchers' to help off-set the costs of children participating in sport. Evidence from program evaluations and surveys of parents/guardians suggest these programs are generally useful and well received. ^{9, 27, 28, 33, 34}

More information is available in the Clearinghouse for Sport Participation Grants and Funding topic.

Some other suggestions for cost mitigation identified in reports and research include:

• Repurposing/recycling good condition uniforms and equipment ^{29, 35}
• Providing financial discounts to individuals or families in return for volunteer time. ^{29, 35}
• Offering long-term, free, or low-cost programs especially through schools or on school grounds ^{13, 30, 32}
• Subsidising or providing transport ^{14, 30, 31}
• Having different pricing strategies, payment plans, or options to subsidise fees for individuals or families ³⁵

A number of studies have concluded that feeling competent is extremely important to maintaining sports participation. Participants who feel confident in their abilities, and/or feel that they are learning and advancing their skills, and parents who feel their child is advancing in physical and social skills, are more likely to continue their participation in organised sports.

By learning the fundamentals of movement and developing a positive attitude to physical activity and sport, individuals acquire the skills, experience, and attitudes that allow them to take part in sports, as well as influencing their level of physical activity throughout their lives.

Physical literacy increases the likelihood of sports participation and long-term physical activity. Research has shown that the childhood years are a critical period for motor development and the opportunity to become ‘physically literate’. Research also suggests that girls are less likely to feel competent in their physical literacy, particularly as they get older, which likely contributes to lower levels of life-long sport participation.

The 2016 and 2018 Australian Active Health Kids report cards gave Australian children a 'D+' grade for movement skills and a 'D-' for overall physical activity. To align with the Global Matrix (which does not grade Movement Skills) this indicator was not included in the 2022 Report Card, although the physical activity score remained the same.

More information on physical literacy and the Australian Physical Literacy Framework is available from the Australian Sports Commission's Physical Literacy website.

There has been considerable research linking general socio-economic factors—such as household income, attained education of parents, family size, and language spoken within the home environment—to participation in organised sports activities. The influence of parental attitudes and early school opportunities to engage in quality physical education programs has also been shown to increase the likelihood that children will engage in sports.

Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and persons from cultural and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds, the participation rate in organised sports in Australia, for both adults and children is generally lower than in the wider population. The lower rate may be attributed to socio-economic factors as well as disadvantage created by location and access to programs and facilities. More information on participation rates and factors for First Nations communities are provided in the Australia's First Nations Peoples and Sport topic.

Within CaLD groups the participation rate appears to vary with the concentration of that ethnic group within the community. In 2012 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures showed that people born in Australia are more likely to participate in sport and physical recreation than those born in non-English speaking countries, with women from non-English speaking backgrounds having the lowest levels of participation.

The participation rate of children between 5-14 years from families where both parents were born in Australia was 69% (75.7% for males and 62.6% for females), compared to 41.5% for both parents born in other countries (50% for males and 32.4 percent for females). [Note: the ABS stopped collecting sport participation statistics in 2014]

Although not specific to country of birth the AusPlay survey similarly shows that both adults and children from households who speak a language other than English at home are less likely to participate in sport or physical activity than those who spoke only English. Results from the most recent survey [October 2021] show that:

Adults - at least once per week (81.0% only English; 75.7% other language); At least 3 times per week (63.6% English; 56.8% other language).

Children - at least once per year (73.3% only English spoken at home; 60.0% language other than English spoken at home).

Community size and infrastructure (which may also influence organisational capacity) can impact upon sport participation.

Prevailing social and cultural characteristics of a community can have a great influence on which sports are popular. Some research suggests that 'mid-size' communities create a better environment for sport participation than either very small or large communities. However, the research is ongoing because of the multiple social factors involved and their interaction.

AusPlay survey data from January - December 2021 shows that adult sport and physical recreation participation tends to be highest in major cities and declines for more remote areas. The percentage of people aged 15 and over who participated in sport/physical activity at least once per week was:

• 82.1% for major cities
• 78.8% for inner regional
• 72.4% for outer regional
• 68.4% for remote or very remote

For children under 15 years of age, the pattern appears to be slightly different. Organised sport participation outside of school hours at least once per year is highest in remote or very remote areas, followed by major cities, inner regional and outer regional areas.

• 73.5% for major cities
• 71.1% for inner regional
• 67.3% for outer regional
• 80.8% for remote or very remote

More information is available in the Sport in Rural and Regional Australia topic.

Individuals experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage – whether a low education level, low income, low-status occupation, or living in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhood – are often less likely than more advantaged segments of the population to engage in sport or physical activity. This may be because of cost, including time required and/or financial resources to pay for activities, or the equipment required to participate (e.g. shoes, uniforms, fees), and less access to suitable facilities or programs in more disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

AusPlay survey results indicate that individuals from households with annual income of less than AU$40,000 have the lowest participation levels for both adults and children. Participation rates generally continue to rise in line with income. [note: As is common in population surveys, a large proportion of respondents refused to provide or did not know their household income.]

Additionally, adults who are employed (whether full, part-time, or casual) are more likely to be physically active than those who are unemployed or engaged in home duties. Individuals who have completed high school or tertiary education are more likely to be physically active than people who did not complete the highest level of school.

A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people [Dictionary.com].

A common phrase is 'you can't be what you can't see'. The value of role models and role model programs is often seen as their ability to encourage preferred behaviours as well as participation, leadership and inclusion of people from diverse groups and populations.

Role model programs in sport and physical activity are often targeted towards children and groups with lower engagement, including: females, culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, or persons with disability. Programs aim to increase physical activity participation and address other, broader community objectives (such as health, community development, crime, domestic violence reduction, etc.).

Elite and/or high profile athletes are often identified as role models, and both positive and negative behaviours come under intense scrutiny. However, despite this common focus on elite athletes as role models, research suggests that people in our direct circle of family and relationships—including teachers and coaches—can have more positive and long-term impacts.

Parents in particular are generally the strongest role models for their children’s participation in organised sport. When parents are active, their children are much more likely to be active.

More information can also be found in the Engaging Parents in Sport and Role Models and Sport topics.

A strong and growing participation and membership base is critically important to sporting organisations in terms of attracting investment and ensuring sustainability.

On-going participation in sport is usually contingent upon satisfaction with the overall service provided. This has implications for the standard and accessibility of facilities, as well as the capacity of a sporting organisation to provide coaching, officiating, and management support. Satisfaction and continued participation is also linked to a positive, healthy, and inclusive culture within the sporting environment.

A Swimming Australia market research survey (unpublished) looked at swimming participation as a ‘value for money’ proposition by parents. The most prominent reasons parents gave for encouraging their children to participate in competitive swimming were:

1. swimming is a safe and healthy sport;
2. swimming offers a high level of personal satisfaction; and
3. swimming is a life-long activity.

In contrast, reasons for dissatisfaction with the sport of swimming were: high training costs; competition entry fees; and poor quality coaching and facilities.

Coaches at all levels exert great influence on their players/athletes and can play a significant role in maintaining participation in sport and physical activity at all ages. Their philosophy and method of coaching can shape attitudes, motivation, and impact upon participants wellbeing. Quality coaching not only delivers optimal physiological, technical, and tactical aspects of a sport, it provides experiences that hook participants (and their family) into a sport by providing appropriate contexts, activities, encouragement, and motivation in a safe and fun environment.

Coaches can help participants, especially children, develop physical and social skills. Participants, of all ages, who receive quality coaching tend to have higher long-term participation rates than participants who aren't coached.

The contrasting situation can also occur, the coach-participant relationship can sometimes produce conflict that serves as a trigger for leaving a sport or reducing participation.