Welcoming a National Sport Participation Strategy

Congratulations to our very own Maia Tua-Davidson, National Manager Welcoming Clubs, on her recent appointment to the Australian Sports Commission’s National Sport Participation Strategy Project Steering Group!

Welcoming Clubs is Welcoming Australia’s overarching initiative for programs that embrace the power of sport and recreation as a vehicle for inclusion, opportunity and belonging for all members of the community. Linking both ends of the sporting continuum, from the grassroots to the boardroom, Welcoming Clubs advances a future in sport where everyone has equal opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive.

A 17-member Project Steering Group has been announced to guide and support the development of Australia’s first sector co-designed National Sport Participation Strategy. We’re extremely proud that Maia will bring her wealth of experience to the role, ensuring the perspectives and impact of the work of Welcoming Clubs – and importantly its participants – will be reflected in this crucial strategy.

An increasing number of would-be athletes are excluded from sporting opportunities, at every level. On her appointment to the steering group, Maia reflects that “the people excluded from sport never get the chance to contribute to the conversation, so I am hoping to represent those that don’t fit into the traditional model.”

“Sport is a key element of community, culture and belonging in Australia. However, what we understand as the traditional model of sport in Australia, designed many years ago by and for a specific group of people, is no longer relevant to wider Australia.

We know that over the years our society has changed – but many sports have not, and they continue to exclude or marginalise children, young people and families, particularly those from diverse backgrounds and with additional support needs.

Sport has to change to cater for our society in 2023. It needs to be aspirational in its hopes and dreams, and to move away from the idea that this has to revolve around medals and podiums.”