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Submission by Austalian Oztag on 27 March 2009.
2. Better place sport and physical activity as a key component of the Government's preventative health approach
- Examine Government frameworks to ensure an on-going focus on grassroots and community sport and physical activity.
No Australian denies the effect that sporting success at the elite level has on the country’s national pride and psyche. It could also be argued that this success directly leads to increases in grassroots participation. Unfortunately, the evidence suggests otherwise. In the Federal Government’s Australian Sport, emerging challenges, new directions: the figures are alarming • In the last 15 years adult obesity % has double 70% of those over 15 years of age are classed as sedentary. • Over the past decade, outdoor activity has decreased by one hour/week and TV and internet time has increase by one hour. • 73% (11.8 million) Australians reported no involvement in organised sport. • In NSW, 34 per cent of the adult population are overweight. Beyond the obvious. With these sorts of figures in mind, the government must look at redirecting more sports funding to participation sports that cater for all age groups and both genders. Presently two thirds of $141.4m is allocated to high performance sports. In addition to this, many of the elite sports attract sponsorship and TV rights money. Oztag was first developed in the summer 1992/93 with 40 teams in the St George & Cronulla areas of Sydney. Oztag is unlike any other sport worldwide, in that, the person who invented & developed the game, patented the device used to play the sport to protect his invention. The game has seen an extremely rapid growth of the past 15 years. Currently it is played in all but two states in Australia and boasts almost 34,000 adult and over 18,500 juniors with the vast majority from NSW. Oztag assists Australians from 6 to 60 years to meet National Standards of 1 hour a day of moderate to intense physical activity. In addition to the physical benefits, Oztag plays a key role in social cohesion and general wellbeing - feeling part of the community in which we live. To give you a snapshot, the Sutherland shire has a population of 213,636. In the summer 2008/09, we had over 5000 adults and 5100 juniors playing in weekly Oztag competitions (nearly 5% of the population). Its growth is due to the nature of the sport (enjoyable team sport for male and females which can be played mixed), low cost and low time commitment required that is conducted after hours mid week. There is no requirement to train and no reliance on parents to volunteer their time to be involved as: canteen/ground manager/coach/committee. I am overwhelmed by the number of parents who communicate this fact to me.
- Examine Government programs to increase participation rates in sport and physical activity, including analysis of existing programs.
Unfortunately, due to the structure of our sport and how it has developed, Oztag can’t be recognised as a National Sporting Organisation by the Australian Sports Commission because it doesn’t satisfy the governance criteria. Oztag would like to be recognised and we are willing to look at our structure in order to satisfy the ASC. I feel the government needs to be flexible in its approach to recognising and supporting community sports. The Australian Oztag Sports Association is non profit incorporated body that must pay a licence fee to the patent holder to have permission to use the device and conduct competitions. I think participation rates should be the criteria when allocating funding. Participation rates that include regular weekly activity over (x) amount of weeks, not just pumped up figures of one off school visits displayed by some sports. Venues are also a major issue with Oztag. Because we are not a traditional sport, field allocation by local councils are based on a historical bias. The disparity and equity in field allocation is non-existent amongst most councils. Many of those making decisions have a clear conflict of interest due to a connection or involvement in a particular sport. All too often, sports facility allocation serves only a fraction of the population. Many Oztag areas are continually having to knock back sometimes as many as 20 teams (200 players willing pay money to gain the benefits of exercise and playing in a team) because they can’t secure grounds or have no lighting. Also the variation in ground fees is difficult to comprehend. Some council areas are pricing themselves out of the market, in terms of inhibiting certain groups from playing sport. Federally, the government must be involved in sports venue planning, allocation and maintenance to avoid such barriers to participation. My belief is any money pumped into the provision of adequate facilities by the government, will be recouped by savings in health budgets. Also, the positive economic impact of more people playing sport in times of recession will impact the government’s bottom line. The Confederation of Australian Sport conducted the Economic Impact Study of Sport and found that a 5% increase in the rate of sports participation would deliver a net economic benefit of over $880m.
- Identify and recommend opportunities to break down barriers to participation at junior, adult and senior ages with a view to making it simpler and easier for Australians to participate in the sport or physical activity of their choice, including for women, the disabled and Indigenous people.
No response
- Recommend strategies to increase the effectiveness of the promotion of sport by the Federal Government to better communicate positive health and activity messages to the broader community.
No response
3. Strengthen pathways from junior sport to grassroots community sport right through to elite and professional sport.
- Examine the capacity of the system to ensure optimal and efficient delivery of the athlete and coach pathway for any given sport.
Strengthen pathways from junior sport to grassroots community sport right through to elite and professional sport. All grass roots sports speak of difficulties in recruiting and keeping volunteers. Existing volunteers are continually overburdened often to the point of burn out. As I read other sports submissions, I read about recognising and rewarding volunteers. What better way to reward those at the front lines of community sport by PAYING them! It seems that most sporting bodies, want the ‘soldiers’ to work for free while the ‘generals’ get payed. Oztag allows this process, while still maintaining a very cheap sport to play when compared to other sports. Strengthening pathways from Junior Sport to Elite is the result of not only education for coaches and referees, but also in administration. Well run clubs are a sports best advertisement and will contribute to people staying in sport for their whole life. Strengthening pathways from Junior Sport to Elite is the result of not only education for coaches and referees, but also in administration. Well run clubs are a sports best advertisement and will contribute to people staying in sport for their whole life.
- Recommend the most effective support and recognition for the coaches, officials, umpires, administrators and volunteers who keep our community clubs alive.
No response
- Examine how relationships between the Commonwealth Government and National Sporting Organisations, State Sporting Organisations and Australia’s peak representative bodies at key multi-sports competitions may be strengthened to deliver better performance outcomes.
No response
5. Identify opportunities to increase and diversify the funding base for sport through corporate sponsorship, media and any recommended reforms, such as enhancing the effectiveness of the Australian Sports Foundation
Identify opportunities to increase and diversify the funding base for sport through corporate sponsorship, media and any recommended reforms, such as enhancing the effectiveness of the Australian Sports Foundation. Community sports need to be provided with assistance to diversify sustainable revenue streams. NSO need training in Sponsorship, Marketing & PR to arm them with the tools to locate and maintain sponsors/partners. The Government could consider providing subsidies to help NSO’s produce broadcasts and/or buying advertising space during sports broadcasts.
Page last updated: 27 March, 2009