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It's estimated that the Australian sports industry supports 128,000 full-time equivalent jobs, and approximately 3 million volunteers in sport each year. It is the largest volunteer cohort across all sectors.   Safe to say, the sporting landscape is BIG.   If you're looking for a career in sport or new to the sector, this is a great article that shows the structure of sport in Australia and the connections from grassroots to national level. 

The new #PlayWell Sport Participation Program is a win for National Sporting Organisation’s (NSO’s), State Sporting Organisation’s (SSO’s), Local Government Councils and peak physical activity organisations with $10.3 million in funding available to support all Australians to access the benefits of sport. The first stream will enable these organisations to deliver new or expand existing sporting programs that encourage lifelong involvement, as well as host come and try events and multi-sport festivals in communities to promote equitable access for all. The Strategy calls on Australians to ‘Play Well’ and create great sporting environments where people of all ages, backgrounds, genders and abilities can come together. It addresses barriers to participation in sport and physical activity by providing opportunities to be involved in sport for communities that face the most barriers. I look forward to seeing the innovation that the organisations implement to increase the participation rates in sport and PA. The funding is not available for schools, but I’m sure schools can reflect on their ability to be inclusive for all students to ensure that sport is accessible for a diverse range of students. Don’t forget that the Sporting Schools grants are available and targeted towards increasing the participation rates of girls and individuals who don’t meet the 24 Hour Movement Guidelines. #sport #physicalactivity #physicalliteracy #sports #sporteducation #physicalhealth #inclusion

Its that time of the year when we review the year as a company at AJB Sports in Education and Active Minds , what has gone well, what has not, areas we need to improve, areas we have improved and put those all important plans together for next year. With our success this year being up there with the companies best in recent years - the new partnerships with Brentford FC Community Sports Trust as well as three new components of our business in HAF Camps 🏃🏼 Birthday parties 🎉 and Fundaments for pre school and nursery children 👶🏽 to name a few- it got me thinking a bit further back than just the last year. We started looking at the last few years and all the adventures, partnerships and wonderful organisations that we have worked with and are still working with (not including our brilliant partner schools). As always, some ideas worked better than others, some lasted longer than others, some didn't work at all for various reasons and some last until this day. When you start to put some down, you realise just how many we have worked / are working with and how much we have done in the few short years we have been an organisation. Pretty humbling when you look at some of the logos from Premier League football clubs, to Universities and Colleges, to the County Football Association, Radio appearances, working with the county council, partner organisations around the county and entire country and more. Very proud of where we have got to, and how we will look to use this as a springboard into the next evolution and progression as a company into 2024 Thank you to all those below and more that we have worked with, we have learnt so much from working with other professionals and organisations and would not be where we are today without everything. We are always learning and always moving forwards. #review #partnerships #organisations #companies #workingtogether #success #yearinreview #thankyou

Big news in the sport sector today with the release of Australian Sports Commission's PlayWell 🚀 Why is this a big deal? ✅ 20:32 vision: The strategy takes a 360-degree view of sport, covering sector capability, facilities, people and culture, acknowedging the role sport plays in the fabric of our society. ✅ Inclusive and fun: Love the focus on making sport a place for everyone. This is how we build strong communities. ✅ More money = more impact: With over 10million up for grabs in grant funding, sport is about to be more accessible to more people, and break down more barriers than ever before. #sportsbiz #sportsindustry #sportmanagement

12 years ago this summer, I TURNED DOWN a professional football contract with Premier League’s, Brentford Football Club and signed with Crawley Town Football Club…✍🏽 Within 3 years, both academies were shut down, terminating everyone’s youth contracts. No matter which path I took, I would have been let go by no fault of my own anyway❌ From there I bounced around Chelsea Football Club, Crystal Palace Football Club & Charlton Athletic Football Club with no luck. By the time I realised I wasn’t going to make it, I had no idea where I wanted to take my life. I was frustrated, at myself for my decisions, at the clubs/world for my unfortunate circumstances. I didn’t really know how to process the fact I had just wasted the last 10 years of my life💭 No one asked how I was doing, what I wanted to do next😪 Not one single person, club, entity presented themselves as support or helped to push me into a career path that I would enjoy instead of football - which was all I knew. My time in the system was up and I guess it was on to finding the next star. I’m not alone - my story is shared by THOUSANDS👥 Across the country, the world, across many sports. More needs to be done for athletes after sport, we’re more than JUST a player, or a number🌎 With that being said, I’m proud to announce the launch of Now Or Never Entertainment’s Academy Transition Initiative: Foot Forward UK🙏🏽⚽️ A holistic aftercare programme with a simple mission. Support, guide & connect players with brands they know, love and engage with, focusing on the provision of workplace opportunities in the creative industry. Run by myself, and my old Brentford team mate Sean Bird - we’re here to help players in ways that no one did when we quit the game. Never thought I would be sharing this story so thank you to Sportsdirect.com for making the beginning of this journey possible🤞🏾 If you have a story, or can offer any opportunities in the workplace for any of the young athletes in our community, please reach out🗣️ #footballacademies #professionalfootball #footballaftercare #creativeindustry #sportsmarketing

Seeing academic papers that back your inherent feeling/thoughts/experience to reinforce your work is great BUT more importantly it shares with you thoughts and avenues for your mind to roll down that you may not have considered before. Rochelle Eime et al. in their latest publication titled "The motivations to play organised club-based sport in Australia" has done that for me today. I particularly liked the results showing that those who participate more in sport, want to keep doing more! For me it reinforces the need for everyone to get a good, consistent dose of sport early on in their lives so the act of participating and being active is not a barrier in itself (harder to start the older you get). Findings like these combined with the Play Well Strategy from the Australian Sports Commission gives me optimism that we can turn around these declining physical activity numbers if we're focused on people having positive sport experiences that suit their needs. Well done Rochelle, Jack, Melanie, Aurelie, Hans and Christopher on the publication! https://lnkd.in/e-v6ZbXJ

SPLISS Model – Grassroots Participation and Talent Development 🌱🌟 #GrassrootsParticipation #TalentDevelopment #SPLISSModel "In our deep dive into the SPLISS (Sports Policy factors Leading to International Sporting Success) model, two key pillars stand out for their fundamental role in shaping the sports landscape: Grassroots Participation and Talent Development. These components are essential not only for identifying and nurturing future champions but also for fostering a culture of sports within a community. Grassroots Participation: The Foundation of Sporting Success Grassroots participation is about encouraging widespread engagement in sports across all levels of society. It's the initial spark that ignites a passion for sports, creating a pool from which talents can be discovered. But it's more than just a talent reservoir; grassroots sports play a pivotal role in promoting health, social inclusion, and community engagement. Governments and sports organizations across the globe have implemented various strategies to boost grassroots participation. For instance, the UK's 'Sport England' initiative focuses on increasing sports participation among all age groups, emphasizing the importance of an active lifestyle. Similarly, Australia's community sports infrastructure grants aim to improve local sports facilities, making sports more accessible to everyone. Talent Development: Crafting the Path to Elite Performance Once potential talents are identified at the grassroots level, the next step is nurturing and refining these talents into elite performers. This journey is multifaceted, involving structured training programs, access to quality coaching, and providing the necessary resources for athletes to reach their full potential. One exemplary model of talent development can be seen in the Dutch football youth academy system. These academies are known for their rigorous training regimes, world-class facilities, and a holistic approach to player development. Another notable example is the USA's collegiate sports system, which provides young athletes with high-level competition and training, coupled with educational opportunities. The Challenges and Opportunities However, the path from grassroots to elite isn’t without its challenges. One significant hurdle is ensuring equal access to sports opportunities, irrespective of socioeconomic backgrounds. Moreover, balancing the pressure of high-level training with the wellbeing of young athletes is crucial. The opportunity here lies in creating comprehensive and inclusive programs that not only scout and develop talent but also ensure the long-term wellbeing of athletes. Investing in community sports programs, enhancing coaching quality, and ensuring sustainable pathways from amateur to professional levels are essential steps. #SPLISS #SportsDevelopment #FutureOfSports #PureSports

Grassroots Participation Threatened As an advocate for sports development, I spent the weekend reflecting on the implications of the findings shared by the Ministry Of Sport's recent White Paper on the ‘Cost of living in Australia' YouGov. The grassroots sector faces immediate threats as families cut back on spending, potentially leading to a decline in player registrations and participation. Australians are increasingly opting for affordable home-based entertainment, affecting activities like arts and crafts, dance, and photography. Younger Australians (18-34) show resilience in maintaining entertainment spending, but lower-income groups are significantly reducing spending on professional sports, widening the access gap. This suggests that grassroots and professional sports organisations must enhance their value propositions. Offering affordable memberships, discounts, and other perks will ensure continued engagement. Cost-of-living pressures could drive a shift towards community-based sports events. Grassroots organisations can capitalize on this by organising low-cost or free events, which can help maintain or even increase participation levels. Sustained participation in grassroots sports is crucial for the future talent pipeline. Organisations must keep sports accessible and attractive to young people to ensure the development of future athletes, essential for events like the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Rigorous cost management and enhanced community engagement will be key strategies. Our collective commitment to making sports accessible, affordable, and appealing will determine the resilience and growth of the sports industry in these challenging times. Now more than ever, we must unite to preserve and promote the spirit of sport in our communities. #SportsDevelopment #GrassrootsSports #CommunityEngagement #CostOfLiving #YouthSports #FutureAthletes #Brisbane2032 #SportsIndustry #InclusiveSports #SportsForAll #economy #sports 📄 Read the full report:

If Safe Sport is to be prioritised and given the importance it deserves within the broader sports system, a large-scale mobilisation for awareness and education is called for. To fully embed athlete safety in grassroots sports, community members must first develop an awareness of safeguarding, understand why it matters, and take action to prevent harm. The Safe Sport Code provides common principles and standard definitions. However, in shifting towards a safer sports culture, there needs to be an understanding of where and how they apply and who has jurisdiction over what practices. To effectively manage Safe Sport programs, stakeholders must possess diverse skills and knowledge, including the ability to remain vigilant, thoroughly investigate incidents, and enforce necessary restrictions and punitive measures. That, in turn, will require significant mobilisation efforts and resources to stay the course. Scoopdotmy Vignesh Thavakumar Julie Jalaluddin Safe Sport Malaysia #SafeSport #SafeSportAct #AthletesAgainstAbuse

Program Focus: The NSW Government has allocated up to $30 million to the Level the Playing Field Program, dedicated to revitalising sports facilities across the state. This investment aims to enhance existing sports infrastructure, develop new facilities, and upgrade amenities and sporting fields. Moreover, it will facilitate the installation of new and upgraded lighting systems, fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for women and girls to train and compete in sports. Program Timeline: Applications for the Level the Playing Field Program opened on 16 October 2023 and closed on 30 November 2023. After a rigorous selection process, grant recipients were announced in May 2024. Construction of the awarded projects is expected to commence by 30 September 2024, with completion targeted by 30 September 2026. Program Impact: Out of 212 applications received, 26 projects were selected for funding, totalling $28,601,881. This substantial investment, combined with co-contributions, amounts to a significant overall project value of $59,063,718. These grants will enable the transformation of sports facilities, fostering growth and inclusivity in sports participation across NSW. Source Agency: The Level the Playing Field Program was administered by the NSW Office of Sport on behalf of the NSW Government. Final funding decisions were made by the Minister for Sport, ensuring strategic allocation and effective utilisation of resources. Sports Facility Auditor is proud to contribute to this initiative with up to half of the investment made through the funding program being sports and facilities engaged with Sports Facility Auditor platforms. Together, let's level the playing field and empower future champions! 🏆   #LevelThePlayingField #SportsFacilityAuditor #NSWGovernment #CommunityDevelopment #InclusiveSports