Sports Federation of Queensland (QSport) submission: Queensland Government Sport & Active Recreation Strategy 2019-2029 October, 2018 1 | P a g e Introduction Sport and active recreation play central and compelling roles in the lives of many Queenslanders, but it is increasingly evident there are changes in: who is (and is not) participating in sport and active recreation; what inspires people to become and remain active; and the barriers and impediments to building participation. The Sports Federation of Queensland (QSport) understands the Queensland Government values the role of sport and how it contributes to Queensland’s social cohesion, economic prosperity and individual’s health and wellbeing. We also acknowledge that the achievement of more Queenslanders being active requires both sound investment and evidence to direct and shape the initiatives, opportunities, policy and programs that can inspire the achievement of priority outcomes. This is the responsibility of all stakeholders who understand the benefits of sport and active recreation. QSport welcomes the opportunity to contribute and shape a shared vision for a vibrant, inclusive, connected and productive Queensland. We also value the intention to develop a Strategy that acknowledges and supports sport and active recreation providers and stakeholders as pivotal contributors to enhancing better personal, social and economic outcomes for all Queenslanders. Our submission relating to the Strategy Discussion Paper includes insight into the sport sector and takes a solution-oriented approach to the challenges and priorities outlined. It is designed to illustrate how the Strategy and its implementation can be used to: Support and extend the capacity of sport to continue to deliver positive results through sporting clubs and associations, Enable different but relevant stakeholders to work together toward joint outcomes, Support flexible responses to emerging opportunities, Inform programs, priorities, decision making and coordination of policy positions and promotion, and Preserve autonomy of organisations while achieving our shared goals. QSport – Representing a Collective Voice Across Queensland, there are over 6000 registered Sporting Clubs and Associations delivering sport at State and Local levels. Based on 2012 figures, sport contributes at least $7.9 billion or around 3% of Queensland’s Gross State Product, and contributes significant productivity, health and civic benefits (PKF, 2012). QSport is the major representative body for sport in Queensland. As a Federation we are comprised of an independent collective membership of 68 State Sporting Organisations (SSO’s) of the possible 80 registered sports in Queensland; and have an additional 45 Sport and Recreation organisations as Associate Members. Over our 25-years as an incorporated, independent representative body, QSport have consistently and diligently represented the diverse and at times competing needs of our members. QSport’s role and responsibility is to influence and assist the growth and development of sport in Queensland and we do this through a range of activities including but not limited to: providing members with forums to exchange information, advice and assistance, facilitating industry development workshops, assisting in the long-term planning for sport and sport facilities in the State, 2 | P a g e leveraging relationships with other peak body peers (including the FSR Skills Alliance, Community Sport Australia), providing leadership through promoting the role of sport and value of sport in the State, and through the communication of messages from sport to government and government to sport. Why Sport? As preface to this report it is worth remembering that sport is both universal and variously defined. While sport is traditionally seen as focused on competitive and rules-based physical competitions that require exertion and skill, at its most inclusive it includes “any form of physical activity that contributes to physical fitness, mental well-being and social interaction” (UN Inter-agency Taskforce on Sport for Development and Peace). An understanding of these definitions and applications demonstrates sport is seen to be: A cost-efficient tool to help create a better world, A means to improving the lives of people; A forum to build bridges between individuals and across communities; A healthy pastime; A forum to build relationships through shared experiences and achievements; A mechanism of self-expression etc. For Queenslanders sport may be social, recreational, competitive or elite. It incorporates physical activity and serves to develop physical literacy. It entails some level of exercise and/or mastery; and it can also be viewed as entertainment, a hobby or leisure. At its heart sport is personal though it can be team based; and it can be played/ engaged in every day. Across its diversity it is sufficiently various to support the disparate interests of the Queensland population. It can be elite, social, educational, occasional, organised or non-organised; regional, rural, metropolitan, embedded in infrastructure or fluidly engaged across a range of environments. While sport can be many things, for Queenslanders it is part of the fabric of our identity. It brings the community together and focuses our passions. This is regularly evidenced through the support and enthusiasm Queenslanders show for our elite sport teams and performances (e.g. recent Commonwealth Games), our State of Origin pride, our parochial regional-team passions, and our support and care for any athlete who strives to better their performance or represent their school, club, zone, region, state or country. Sport is a function, a lever and a partner in delivering social, economic, health and community benefits through promoting social inclusion, enhancing our sense of connection, building Queensland’s external profile and enabling more active and healthy opportunities. The QSport submission to the Queensland Sport and Active Recreation Strategy is imbued with these understandings and based on a collation of views including those of our members and partners. Specifically, it is informed by: consultation (through workshops & survey) with our state-wide members and associates, facilitated discussions with the QSport Board (refer to Attachment 1 for summary of key outcomes), participation in several of the Qld State Government strategy consultations (including Gold Coast, Maryborough, Toowoomba and Brisbane), 3 | P a g e review of evidence-based research into the impediments and potential for activating increased participation in sport and active recreation, and collaborative conversations with other key stakeholders (e.g. QORF, SFR Skills Alliance, LGAQ, Clubs Qld, Ministers Sport Advisory Council etc). Qld Sport & Active Recreation Strategy 2019-2029 – In Context While a targeted, resourced and actionable Sport and Active Recreation Strategy is vitally important to the sector, it will also play a key role in achieving wider outcomes informing the Queensland Governments Our Future State: Advancing Queensland priorities. Research and common sense inform us the greatest outcomes come from taking holistic and connected approaches to change and development. Each of us are impacted at personal, familial, institutional, community and policy levels. Thus, to influence social as well as behavioural change takes an alignment of initiatives – including economic, health, school, community, media, society and public policy. The Sport and Active Recreation Strategy can help demonstrate and align the role and potential of sport as a tool to directly and indirectly address State-wide and regional community priorities including, but not limited to: Creating jobs / strong economy: o engaging (even) more Queenslanders into the workforce; o supporting workplace productivity through benefits of sport activity/s; o training, developing and qualifying the sport workforce (paid and volunteer) with technical and transferable governance, leadership & personal skills; o encouraging economic growth through regular participation fees and services, event delivery, direct and indirect tourism activities and contributing to community services Keeping communities safe / Queenslanders healthy: o building community connection and social cohesion; o engaging youth; o inspiring and motivating individuals and community through competitive and recreational success; o enhancing liveability and lifestyle choices Giving all children a great start: o enabling the development of physical, social, emotional and cognitive literacy and self-confidence for children, o maintaining participation, skills and wellness across the life course; o building resilience Being a responsive government: o offering innovative and accessible participation opportunities inclusive of all Queenslanders and promoted through the Queensland Government’s services portals (e.g. modified sport, local community clubs & associations, come & try); o partnering across departments and with local government to create local sport and active recreation solutions. How to Build Participation, Connection, Economy and Success While sport has been traditional, it can also be adaptable. While sports continue to innovate and adapt their delivery models, products and services to suit community needs, there are ongoing changes to the sporting landscape. These are influenced by changing social trends, technological 4 | P a g e advances, a societal reduction in risk appetite and implications