The Benefits of Sport
Improving Every Australian's Life Through Sport
Sport's impact on the Australian way of life is underestimated. It's at the very heart of every community impacting our culture, society and economy. Sport has the ability to improve the health and wellbeing of all that participate regardless of age, ability, background or gender.
The benefits of sport go well beyond just health. You can't underestimate the positive impact sport has on our culture, society and economy. Our communities are strengthened when we come together to play sport, building a sense of belonging and feeding our national identity.
Better Health, It's just the Beginning
We all know that physical activity is the key to good health. Regular activity helps prevent a range of diseases, heart attacks, cancer and diabetes, but sport does more than just keep us physically healthy. An entire community benefits from sport participation. From players to family to volunteers, sport brings people together.
This allows new friendships to form and builds a sense of belonging and pride. The confidence that is built from playing sport helps foster important life skills which benefits individuals through to adulthood. Not only do people who play perform better academically, it improves our overall mental health and wellbeing in every aspect of life.
Mental
Sport brings positivity and calmness into an individual's life. Research has shown it helps reduce anxiety and depression.
Social
Sport improves social connectivity and inclusion. It builds communities, enables diversity through larger social networks and creates friends for life.
Educational
Kids who play sport learn critical life skills, build resilience and confidence which helps them perform better in school.
Sport: Strengthening the Economy of Australia
Sport is a major contributor to the economy of our Nation, generating around $50 billion each year and accounts for 2-3% of Australia’s GDP. Fourteen million Australians participate in sport annually, 1.8 million volunteer 158 million hours each year, and 220,000 are employed across the sector. However, sports economic impact goes much deeper than that. A child playing sport develops critical life skills which helps to produce more balanced and successful adults.
Competition early in life seems to particularly help women in breaking down the barriers in the workforce, with over 94% of women in executive positions having played competitive sport. Sport also encourages mixed ethnic friendship which helps to develop a culturally diverse community where individuals are not locked out from opportunities due to racial and background differences.
Total Economic Value
Sport generates around $50 billion to Australia's economy each year through direct economic, productivity and volunteering benefits.
Improved Cognitive Development
Research has shown playing sport improves a child’s attention, thinking, language, learning, and memory.
Building Success
A study done by espnW found that 94% of women in executive positions played competitive sport.
Building Social Cohesion
People who play sport are 44% more likely to have mixed-ethnic friendship groups than non-participants.
- Overall
30 Minutes
of exercise a day
Is all that is needed to reduce your risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. It helps maintain a healthy weight, improves moods and reduces stress.
- Brain
38%
reduction in cognitive decline in people who participate in high levels of activity.
People who participate in moderate activity show a 35% reduction compared with those who are sedentary.
- Life Span
150 Minutes
of physical activity each week can increase your life span for up to 7 years.
Higher levels of activity can increase your lifespan more, regardless of your weight, age or gender.
- Cancer
23%
reduced rate of developing kidney cancer if you keep active.
Exercise improves immune systems and prevents high blood pressure levels that are linked to cancer.