The federal government has released its long-awaited National Sport Plan, dubbed Sport 2030, which outlines its vision and priorities for the Australian sport sector. The plan aims to make Australia the world’s most active and healthy nation, as well as a leading sporting nation. However, the plan has been criticised for lacking details, targets, and funding commitments.
What is Sport 2030?
Sport 2030 is the result of 18 months of consultations with various stakeholders, including sporting organisations, athletes, coaches, officials, academics, health experts, and the public. It is the first comprehensive national sport policy since 2010, when the Crawford Report was published.
The plan has four key pillars: participation, performance, prevention, and integrity. Under each pillar, the plan identifies several goals and strategies, such as:
- Increasing physical activity levels by 15% by 2030
- Achieving top 10 results at the Olympics and Paralympics
- Reducing the burden of chronic disease by 20% by 2030
- Establishing a national sports integrity commission
The plan also announces the re-branding of the Australian Sports Commission as Sport Australia, which will be the lead agency for implementing the plan. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) will focus on high performance sport, while the National Institute Network will support the development of athletes and coaches across the country.
What are the strengths of the plan?
The plan has been welcomed by some sporting bodies and experts, who praised its ambitious vision and holistic approach. The plan recognises the social, economic, and health benefits of sport and physical activity, and the need to promote a diverse and inclusive sport culture.
The plan also acknowledges the challenges and opportunities facing the Australian sport sector, such as:
- The changing preferences and behaviours of consumers and participants
- The increasing competition and expectations in the global sporting arena
- The emerging threats and risks to the integrity and reputation of sport
- The rapid development and adoption of technology and innovation
The plan proposes some initiatives and reforms to address these issues, such as:
- Developing a national physical literacy framework and a digital platform to encourage and measure physical activity
- Establishing a national sports research and innovation fund and a national sports data and insights platform
- Creating a national sports tribunal and a sports wagering scheme
- Enhancing the governance and capability of sporting organisations
What are the weaknesses of the plan?
The plan has also been criticised by some commentators and experts, who argued that it is vague, unrealistic, and underfunded. The plan lacks specific and measurable targets, indicators, and timelines for most of its goals and strategies. For example, the plan does not specify how many medals Australia aims to win at the Olympics and Paralympics, or how much funding will be allocated to each sport and program.
The plan also does not provide a clear and coherent framework for the roles and responsibilities of different levels of government and sporting organisations. The plan relies heavily on the collaboration and coordination of various stakeholders, but does not outline how this will be achieved or monitored.
The plan also does not address some of the key challenges and gaps in the Australian sport sector, such as:
- The declining participation and retention rates in organised sport, especially among women, girls, and disadvantaged groups
- The inadequate and inequitable distribution and access to sport facilities and infrastructure
- The insufficient and inconsistent investment and support for grassroots and community sport
- The lack of diversity and representation in sport leadership and decision-making
What are the implications of the plan?
The plan is a statement of intent and aspiration, rather than a blueprint for action and accountability. The plan sets out a broad and ambitious vision for the Australian sport sector, but does not provide enough details, targets, and funding to make it a reality.
The plan will require further consultation, collaboration, and commitment from all stakeholders, including federal, state, and local governments, sporting organisations, athletes, coaches, officials, academics, health experts, and the public. The plan will also need to be reviewed and updated regularly, to reflect the changing needs and circumstances of the Australian sport sector.
The plan is an opportunity and a challenge for the Australian sport sector, to shape and secure its future. The plan is not the end, but the beginning, of a long and complex journey.
