Latest news with #AusPlay
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cost of children's sport rises in Australia as voucher programs fail to budge participation
The average cost for a child to play football in Australia was $334 in 2016 compared with $513 in 2023 and 2024. The average cost for a child to play football in Australia was $334 in 2016 compared with $513 in 2023 and 2024. Photograph: FatCamera/Getty Images Parents of young cricketers, footballers and basketball players are now paying more than $500 a year on average for their children to play, plus more on equipment, according to a national survey highlighting Australia's most expensive codes, as state governments pledge hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure sport is not just for the wealthy. But new research from the University of Sydney has found subsidising families' sporting costs through the use of government vouchers alone is not enough, after two prominent recent examples – including a high profile New South Wales scheme – failed to increase sport participation at scale. Advertisement Related: Australian football is notably richer when it's open to everyone This evidence comes as the Queensland government expands its voucher scheme, now costing taxpayers $62.5m a year, and similar programs have been in place in every state. At the same time, the increasing price of children's sport has been highlighted by cost breakdowns in the government's AusPlay survey, released again in 2025 after a year's break due to a change in methodology. It shows several popular sports including gymnastics, tennis, swimming, cricket, athletics, basketball and football cost parents more than $500 a year on average in registration, membership and venue access, and excluding outlays required for uniforms, bats, rackets, boots and balls. Advertisement Only gymnastics showed any decrease from the last time AusPlay data was released in 2023, highlighting a trend of escalating costs going back years. Rochelle Eime, professor in sports science at Federation University, said there has been a longstanding association between participation and socioeconomic status, and a voucher worth $100 or $200 a year is insufficient for many families. '$150, $200, it doesn't really cut through does it, when you're trying to pay the rent and keep the lights on, put food on the table – something's got to give,' she said. Eime said sports need to try to offer alternatives, and move from formal, organised and often expensive settings to a more 'person-centred' approach focused on enjoyment and retention. Advertisement 'We get very busy organising things, and sport prioritises grading and talent development and trying to fit into structures and stuff like that,' she said. 'The majority of kids just want to have fun and play with their friends, and if they're enjoying themselves, they'll come back.' Related: 'Your social life will be non-existent': Gout Gout coach Di Sheppard on guiding the sprint sensation | Jack Snape The average cost for a football player was $334 in 2016, rising to $459 in 2022 before the latest figure of $513 covering the survey period across 2023 and 2024. Basketball's average outlay rose from $414 to $551 between the latest two reports. The University of Sydney research revealed the Active Kids voucher program in NSW failed to deliver the kind of broad society-level increases in physical activity and weekly sport participation had aimed for. Advertisement Between 2018 and 2022, when the program offered $100 vouchers, physical activity fell and weekly sport participation was found to have dropped significantly, from 70.3% to 53.6%. Dr Lindsey Reece, who is one of the study's authors and also the Australian Sport Commission's sport programs director, posted on LinkedIn this month saying: 'Covid-19 certainly played a role – but even outside of pandemic years, the expected boost in activity did not materialise across the population.' The key takeaway she posited was that while financial support matters, vouchers alone 'are not enough to shift the dial on children's physical activity at scale' and future programs 'must incorporate targeted, evidence-based behaviour change strategies and address inequities in access and participation'. The report suggests media campaigns and partnerships with community leaders and organisations should be considered in future to encourage further uptake in targeted children and adolescents. Advertisement The government's decision to make the Active Kids program means-tested in 2024, 'may contribute to closing the socioeconomic gap in physical activity and this adapted program should be evaluated,' the report said. Those who spoke a primary language other than English at home, were aged 15 to 18 years old, lived in the most disadvantaged areas, and were girls were less likely to sign up for sport. Rising costs are a major concern for officials within the Australian Sports Commission who have commissioned a separate report into the impacts of the high cost of participating in sport, due to be released in coming months.
The Guardian
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Cost of children's sport rises in Australia as voucher programs fail to budge participation
Parents of young cricketers, footballers and basketball players are now paying more than $500 a year on average for their children to play, plus more on equipment, according to a national survey highlighting Australia's most expensive codes, as state governments pledge hundreds of millions of dollars to ensure sport is not just for the wealthy. But new research from the University of Sydney has found subsidising families' sporting costs through the use of government vouchers alone is not enough, after two prominent recent examples – including a high profile New South Wales scheme – failed to increase sport participation at scale. This evidence comes as the Queensland government expands its voucher scheme, now costing taxpayers $62.5m a year, and similar programs have been in place in every state. At the same time, the increasing price of children's sport has been highlighted by cost breakdowns in the government's AusPlay survey, released again in 2025 after a year's break due to a change in methodology. It shows several popular sports including gymnastics, tennis, swimming, cricket, athletics, basketball and football cost parents more than $500 a year on average in registration, membership and venue access, and excluding outlays required for uniforms, bats, rackets, boots and balls. Only gymnastics showed any decrease from the last time AusPlay data was released in 2023, highlighting a trend of escalating costs going back years. Rochelle Eime, professor in sports science at Federation University, said there has been a longstanding association between participation and socioeconomic status, and a voucher worth $100 or $200 a year is insufficient for many families. '$150, $200, it doesn't really cut through does it, when you're trying to pay the rent and keep the lights on, put food on the table – something's got to give,' she said. Eime said sports need to try to offer alternatives, and move from formal, organised and often expensive settings to a more 'person-centred' approach focused on enjoyment and retention. 'We get very busy organising things, and sport prioritises grading and talent development and trying to fit into structures and stuff like that,' she said. 'The majority of kids just want to have fun and play with their friends, and if they're enjoying themselves, they'll come back.' Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion The average cost for a football player was $334 in 2016, rising to $459 in 2022 before the latest figure of $513 covering the survey period across 2023 and 2024. Basketball's average outlay rose from $414 to $551 between the latest two reports. The University of Sydney research revealed the Active Kids voucher program in NSW failed to deliver the kind of broad society-level increases in physical activity and weekly sport participation had aimed for. Between 2018 and 2022, when the program offered $100 vouchers, physical activity fell and weekly sport participation was found to have dropped significantly, from 70.3% to 53.6%. Dr Lindsey Reece, who is one of the study's authors and also the Australian Sport Commission's sport programs director, posted on LinkedIn this month saying: 'Covid-19 certainly played a role – but even outside of pandemic years, the expected boost in activity did not materialise across the population.' The key takeaway she posited was that while financial support matters, vouchers alone 'are not enough to shift the dial on children's physical activity at scale' and future programs 'must incorporate targeted, evidence-based behaviour change strategies and address inequities in access and participation'. The report suggests media campaigns and partnerships with community leaders and organisations should be considered in future to encourage further uptake in targeted children and adolescents. The government's decision to make the Active Kids program means-tested in 2024, 'may contribute to closing the socioeconomic gap in physical activity and this adapted program should be evaluated,' the report said. Those who spoke a primary language other than English at home, were aged 15 to 18 years old, lived in the most disadvantaged areas, and were girls were less likely to sign up for sport. Rising costs are a major concern for officials within the Australian Sports Commission who have commissioned a separate report into the impacts of the high cost of participating in sport, due to be released in coming months.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Record crowds drive strong finances with Netball Australia on road to being debt free
Melbourne Vixens fans. Super Netball saw an increase of 25% in crowd attendances on 2023. Melbourne Vixens fans. Super Netball saw an increase of 25% in crowd attendances on 2023. Photograph:Netball Australia has pledged to be debt free by 2027 thanks to the financial uplift from hosting that year's World Cup, as it sets out a 10-year plan to ensure it remains the country's most popular team sport for women and girls amid increasing competition from football. The organisation reported a surplus of $0.65m for 2024 – up from $0.26m in 2023, and its highest since 2012 – and long-term debt of $3m, a decrease of $1.2m on the previous year. Advertisement Netball Australia chief executive officer Stacey West said the result was due to strong attendances for Diamonds matches and Super Netball, which attracted more spectators in a single season than any previous Australian women's competition and 'showed why it is the world's biggest and best netball league'. In total, 366,222 attended matches last year, an increase of 25% on 2023. 'Suncorp Super Netball also attracted the highest average crowd in Australian women's sport, with an average of 6,097 fans attending each match – up from 5,069 in 2023,' West said. This month's Super Netball round one attendances were up 8% on 2024. Ticket sales for Diamonds events grew 50%, partly thanks to larger venues. The annual report stated Netball Australia's debt was on track to be cleared by 2027 and the organisation was working on a long-term strategy for the sport. 'We are near completion in developing a 10-year strategy to ensure that growth continues which will drive successful commercial outcomes,'' West said. Advertisement The plan, due to be formally released this year, 'is focused on optimising growth and engagement at every level', according to the annual report. According to the national AusPlay survey, netball had around 400,000 female participants in 2024. It was the most popular team sport for women ahead of basketball (291,000 participants) and football (251,000). At this week's AGM, former Diamond Liz Ellis was reappointed chair of Netball Australia for her second year, providing stability after the pay dispute and leadership changes of 2023. The right to host the 2027 World Cup was secured in 2021. 'Hosting the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia presents the sport with a huge opportunity for new generations of fans to fall in love with the game,' West said. In addition to the 2027 World Cup in Sydney, Netball Australia sees the sport's inclusion in the 2026 Commonwealth Games as an opportunity for growth. Advertisement The sport has also been lobbying for a place in the Olympics program in time for the 2032 Brisbane Games. However, one of the world's most popular women's sports may be denied due to the IOC's criteria around gender parity – in this case, participation among men. World Netball's website states 'over 20 million' people play netball in more than 117 countries. For comparison, Fifa has a goal of 60 million female players by 2027. A 2023 survey found there were 16.6m women and girls playing organised football.
The Guardian
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Record crowds drive strong finances with Netball Australia on road to being debt free
Netball Australia has pledged to be debt free by 2027 thanks to the financial uplift from hosting that year's World Cup, as it sets out a 10-year plan to ensure it remains the country's most popular team sport for women and girls amid increasing competition from football. The organisation reported a surplus of $0.65m for 2024 – up from $0.26m in 2023, and its highest since 2012 – and long-term debt of $3m, a decrease of $1.2m on the previous year. Netball Australia chief executive officer Stacey West said the result was due to strong attendances for Diamonds matches and Super Netball, which attracted more spectators in a single season than any previous Australian women's competition and 'showed why it is the world's biggest and best netball league'. In total, 366,222 attended matches last year, an increase of 25% on 2023. 'Suncorp Super Netball also attracted the highest average crowd in Australian women's sport, with an average of 6,097 fans attending each match – up from 5,069 in 2023,' West said. This month's Super Netball round one attendances were up 8% on 2024. Ticket sales for Diamonds events grew 50%, partly thanks to larger venues. The annual report stated Netball Australia's debt was on track to be cleared by 2027 and the organisation was working on a long-term strategy for the sport. 'We are near completion in developing a 10-year strategy to ensure that growth continues which will drive successful commercial outcomes,'' West said. The plan, due to be formally released this year, 'is focused on optimising growth and engagement at every level', according to the annual report. According to the national AusPlay survey, netball had around 400,000 female participants in 2024. It was the most popular team sport for women ahead of basketball (291,000 participants) and football (251,000). At this week's AGM, former Diamond Liz Ellis was reappointed chair of Netball Australia for her second year, providing stability after the pay dispute and leadership changes of 2023. The right to host the 2027 World Cup was secured in 2021. 'Hosting the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia presents the sport with a huge opportunity for new generations of fans to fall in love with the game,' West said. In addition to the 2027 World Cup in Sydney, Netball Australia sees the sport's inclusion in the 2026 Commonwealth Games as an opportunity for growth. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion The sport has also been lobbying for a place in the Olympics program in time for the 2032 Brisbane Games. However, one of the world's most popular women's sports may be denied due to the IOC's criteria around gender parity – in this case, participation among men. World Netball's website states 'over 20 million' people play netball in more than 117 countries. For comparison, Fifa has a goal of 60 million female players by 2027. A 2023 survey found there were 16.6m women and girls playing organised football.
