Research reveals a third of Aussie kids planning to drop out of sport

• As the nation prepares to support our athletes at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, new research from Allianz Australia reveals that 30% of young Australians have asked their parents if they can stop playing sport  by age 15
• The time² and increasing financial commitment³, alongside competitiveness⁴ and lost interest⁵ are listed as the top reasons and barriers behind the decline in participation
• To help encourage young Aussies to stay in sport, Allianz Australia is giving young athletes the chance to experience what it’s like to be cheered on by the nation

Whether it’s supporting a local club, cheering on the CommBank Matildas or watching our elite athletes compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there is no doubt that sport is ingrained in Australian culture. However, new research from Allianz Australia has revealed that a third of Aussie kids have expressed a wish to stop playing, and are at risk of dropping out of out-of-school sport⁶.

Specifically, a quarter of young Australians have made the decision to stop playing by age 15⁷, with girls more likely to be dropping out than boys^8. Alarmingly children with a disability are likely to stop playing earlier. In fact 50% of children with a disability have decided to stop playing sports altogether by the age of 11⁹.

The Allianz research reveals that over half of Australian parents surveyed believe that the two main barriers to their child’s participation is the time commitment, along with cost of living which includes rising membership costs and travel expenses^{10 11}. Competitiveness¹² and accessibility for all kids¹³ are also barriers to participation.

The research found one in ten children without a disability and one in four children with a disability decided to stop playing out-of-school sport as they felt anxious while playing¹⁴, and are prioritising other activities such as gaming¹⁵.

Dr. Emma Steer, Clinical Psychologist, Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre, has years of experience helping children in sport to navigate psychological barriers such as lack of motivation and self-belief.

“Ensuring children know they have a strong support network around them can be a huge motivation for them to stay in sport. Seeing their parents and guardians cheer them on, showing pride in their participation and giving words of affirmation are some of the ways Aussie kids can feel supported.”¹⁶

“As the research finds, there are so many benefits to children of all abilities being involved in sports, such as developing an increased confidence and self-belief¹⁷ and learning the value of teamwork¹⁸, it’s incredibly beneficial that we keep kids in sport so they can see their full potential”, she explains.

With only a few weeks until the Opening Ceremony of Paris 2024, Allianz Australia is highlighting the benefits that playing sport has on young Australians as they reach their teenage years. Allianz believes that if young Australians can feel the support of the nation, they’re more able to visualise goals and make these dreams happen.

To address the research findings, Allianz Australia is working with local grassroots sports teams to inspire them to become the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians. The young athletes will experience what it’s like to be cheered on by the nation at the world-class Allianz Stadium, but there's a twist. Despite the grandstands being empty, when a goal is scored or a race is finished, they’ll hear and feel the roar of 45,000 Australians cheering them on with ‘Go Australiaahhh’.

The rousing cheer was recorded using the voices of Olympic and Paralympic athletes like wheelchair sprinter Madi de Rozario, judoka Joshua Katz and diver Nikita Hains.  It will offer young athletes the chance to feel what it is like to compete on the world stage and be cheered on by the nation, just as the athletes will hear at Paris 2024.

Owen Wright, Olympic Bronze Medallist Surfer and Allianz Ambassador, agrees that inspiration and support is key to encouraging children to continue playing sport both professionally and socially.

“Becoming an elite athlete is definitely no easy feat; it takes a lot of time, dedication and perseverance. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my support network and my country cheering me on – because there is no other feeling like being cheered on to do your best. The confidence and encouragement it offers is indescribable, and I am so excited to share this feeling with the next generation of young athletes,” Owen says.

Alongside motivation and being cheered on, the research shows that more flexibility with financial commitments such as equipment hire¹⁹, a stronger focus on more fitness and fun instead of competition and winning²⁰, and more training for coaches to support children of all abilities and needs²¹ can help encourage children to remain in out-of-school sport.

Laura Halbert, General Manager, Customer Strategy and Marketing, Allianz Australia, said, “At Allianz, we are passionate about celebrating the unifying power of sport in all Australian communities.

Our research shows that the Olympic and Paralympic Movements can help to inspire young Australians to get involved in sport²², and we’re proud to use this moment to cheer on the next generation of elite athletes and local sporting legends so they can feel the support of the nation behind them.“

Visit our Grassroots Initiatives page to learn more about Grassroots Champions and Allianz’s support of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

"My love of swimming started at a very young age. I remember my parents raising money so I could attend my first Championship.

Competing in front of the crowd was such an adrenaline rush, and I wanted more. 

I was lucky to have the opportunity to see Olympic swimming icons, such as Cate Campbell and Emily Seebohm, compete at other meets. And I remember thinking, 'these women in front of me are so inspirational, I want to do what they’re doing'.

Having the support of the community and watching my idols compete on the world stage has certainly helped me stay focused on the path to reaching my goals.

The Allianz Grassroots Champions initiative will give young athletes the opportunity to feel what it’s like to be cheered on by their country. I can’t wait to watch them have an experience of a lifetime and cheer them on.”

“There are two moments that I distinctly remember where my love for competitive swimming was solidified. One was when Bronte [Campbell] beat me at a swimming carnival; I thought 'I really need to up my game'.  The other time was when I watched fellow Aussie Jodie Henry win at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Moments like these made me the athlete I am today. I always think back to these times to remember why I started in the first place.

Being involved with initiatives like Allianz’s Grassroots Champions is a great way to inspire and encourage young athletes to pursue their sport. It’s a moment that they can be inspired to start their career as an elite, or everyday, athlete.”

1. One third of surveyed Australian parents (30%) shared that their child has asked if they can stop playing outof-school sports.
2. 54% of surveyed Australian parents said the time commitment was the biggest barrier to their child’s participation in sport
3. 46% of surveyed Australian parents shared that the financial commitment was a barrier to their child’s participation in out-of-school sport
4. 16% of surveyed Australian parents said competitiveness was a barrier to participation in out-of-school sports
5. 30% of surveyed Australian parents said their child has stopped playing out-of-school sports due to losing interest in sport and prioritising other activities such as gaming
6. Out-of-school sport is defined as sport played that is not a school requirement, not organised by a school/educational institution and is played in the child’s own time.
7. 25% of young teens (12-15 year olds) decide to stop playing out-of-school sport (25%)
8. (22% v 19%)
9. 50% of parents of children with a disability have reported their child has decided to stop playing out-of-school sports by age 11.
10. 54% of Australian parents said the time commitment was the biggest barrier to their child’s participation in sport
11. 46% of Australian parents shared that the financial commitment was a barrier to their child’s participation in out-of-school sport. For them, this is attributed to membership costs rising due to the cost of living (86%) and travel expenses such as fuel costs increasing (48%).
12. 16% of Australian parents said competitiveness was a barrier to participation in out-of-school sports
13. 13% of Australian parents said accessibility for all kids was a barrier to participation in out-of-school sports
14.  17% for children without a disability, 27% for children with a disability
15. 30% children without a disability, 34% children with a disability
16. When it comes to motivating children to stay in out-of-school sport, being cheered on when they play (88%), receiving positive words of affirmation (88%) and feeling that their support network is proud of them (88%) also came out as the top motivators.
17. 72% of surveyed Australian parents say that increased confidence and self-belief is a benefit of children being involved in out-of-school sports
18. 67% of surveyed Australian parents say that learning the value of teamwork is a benefit of children being involved in out-of-school sport
19. 42% of surveyed Australian parents believe that more flexibility with financial commitments such as optional donations or equipment hire can help children to remain in out-of-school sport.
20. 32% of surveyed Australian parents believe that a stronger focus on fitness and fun vs vs competition and winning can help children to remain in out of school sport. 
21. 24% of surveyed Australian parents believe training for coaches to support children of all abilities and needs can help children remain in out of school sport.
22. 81% of surveyed Australian parents agree that the Olympics and Paralympics Movements inspires young Australians to get involved in sport.