Launched last year, the Play Well Strategy focuses on creating great sporting environments and experiences where all Australians can come together to access the benefits of sport.

Executive General Manager Sport and Community Capability and Chair of the Play Well Leadership Group Richard McInnes said the sector including sports and multiple levels of government is more aligned than ever around the Play Well Strategy.

“We recognise that sport needs to evolve to reflect our changing community. We want everyone to feel they belong and that they can be involved in sport in a way that works for them. It could be as a participant, a volunteer, coach or official, and they have fun doing so,” he said.

Working under the guidance of the Leadership Group, five Project Squads, which are made up of representatives from the sport, education and government sectors as well as Australian Sports Commission (ASC) staff have codesigned the strategy’s first implementation plan.

The plan details the priority activities that will be completed this financial year.

They include activities that are designed to help empower people and organisations such as working with sports to embed the ASC’s modern approach to coaching and officiating, and developing a physical literacy action plan to help drive lifelong involvement in sport.

Another project will look at how to make community level sport more affordable for all.

“Creating safe, welcoming, inclusive and fun experiences is central to this work as we aim to address some of the barriers and challenges to participating in sport,” McInnes added.

“By working together we can increase the number of Australians involved in sport leading to a healthier, cohesive and prosperous Australian community.”

The Play Well Implementation Plan is available on the Play Well website.