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Not only does sport and recreation nurture our physical and mental health, it also provides tremendous social and economic benefits — valued at $10.3 billion annually. In recent years these benefits have underpinned sport and recreation delivery across the sector and together we must showcase the sector as a leading player in facilitating this.

Equity

• Partner with people with disability, their supports, and agencies to identify delivery models and capacity building opportunities to reduce barriers to participation.
• Support industry to provide environments and infrastructure that are welcoming, inclusive and accessible for all, including people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse populations, Aboriginal First Nations people and gender diverse people.
• Partner with stakeholders to maximise the use of infrastructure and the natural environment for community-based sport and active recreation opportunities.

Participation

• Support organisations to formalise talent development pathways for coaches, officials and leaders, to increase recruitment and retention.
• Increase employment, social capital and economic growth through the delivery of events and programs across the State.
• Enhance lifelong participation in sport and active recreation through initiatives that target seniors, volunteers and regional communities.

Recognition and celebration

• Collaborate to increase the capacity, capability and opportunities for volunteers.
• Engage with peak bodies and advisory groups to identify and implement strategies to increase diversity of volunteers.
• Provide opportunities and build the capacity of the sector to celebrate and promote achievements at all levels of participation including coaches, officials, administrators, the paid workforce and volunteers.

Diversity

• Collaborate with key advisory groups and peak bodies to deliver tailored programs and funding opportunities that recognise the value of, and contributions by diverse backgrounds, including race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation and cultural background.
• Deliver inclusion strategies in partnership with diverse groups.

Children and young people

• Partner with other organisations, including schools and early learning environments, to ensure all children and young people are enabled to participate in active sport and recreation.
• Ensure sport and recreation opportunities are cost effective.
• Embed policies and practices in line with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations to reduce child safety risks and create and maintain a child safe environment.

Wellbeing

• Ensure opportunities to participate in structured and unstructured sport and active recreation activities to promote physical and mental wellbeing are available.
• Ensure the pathway from participation to elite performance to transitioning from competition is supported to ensure wellbeing across the continuum.
• Community sport and active recreation organisations are supported through critical incidents and challenges through the provision of appropriate resources.

Year in review — key achievements

• 2022/23 more than $29 million towards developing the sport and recreation sector (year to date).
• 2021/22 more than $25 million towards developing the sport and recreation sector.
• Optus Stadium celebrated 5 years.
• Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund and Club Night Lights Programs: 
  • $27.88 million
  • 136 grants
• Released WA Strategic Trails Blueprint 2022-2027.
• Won the bid to secure Perth as the home of Australian hockey and the High-Performance Hockey Program.
• $3.5 million towards the upgrades at the Geraldton Basketball Stadium.
• $35 million to upgrade HBF Park ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• Implementation of the State Active Recreation Organisation recognition program.
• Invested $320,000 to support sporting pathways for women to reach high-performance level.
• Delivered 2022 WA Trails Forum.
• $89,000 towards first ever social return on investment study of WA sport industry.
• Launched the WA Mountain Bike Strategy 2022-32 and hosted the Industry Mountain Bike Day.
• Invested $29.71 million towards the construction of the State Football Centre.
• $40 million towards KidSport since 2011.