Junior sport

How to support juniors and grow the next generation of members.

To ensure sport is attractive to young people, clubs and organisations must fully understand why young people participate in, and drop out of sport.

This resource provides some simple guidelines for making sport more youth-friendly, as well as showcasing initiatives that have successfully addressed youth participation.

In 2013 the Australian Sports Commission released a report Children: Market Segmentation for Sport Participation.

The market segmentation study provided key insights outlining how the sport sector can influence motivations and behaviours that children have towards sport and physical activity.

These include:

  • Providing sport delivery that focuses on fun and enjoyment rather than competition.
  • Providing products and services that are inclusive, promote equal treatment, and focus on fun and participation regardless of skill level and ability.
  • Providing a variety of pricing packages and different types of membership that allow for flexibility of attendance and time commitment.
  • Identifying the potential for growth opportunities with regards to sport club membership by understanding the needs of different segments and the products they may be attracted to.
Forming links  Junior sport policy cover

Forming links – Junior sport policy

Policy
Young people receive their most effective and satisfying sports experiences when they experience goodwill and cooperation between all levels of stakeholders.
Long-term involvement Junior sport policy cover

Long-term involvement – Junior sport policy

Policy
A major objective for junior sport is the development of life-long participation in sport.
Making sport safe  Junior sport policy cover

Making sport safe – Junior sport policy

Policy
Sport providers have a legal duty of care to protect the welfare of young people and ensure they are not exposed to unnecessary risk in any aspect of sports delivery.
People making it happen  Junior sport policy cover

People making it happen – Junior sport policy

Policy
The most important resource in junior sport is the people who provide the infrastructure for the delivery of activities and set the social atmosphere around sport.
Physical growth and maturation  Junior sport policy cover

Physical growth and maturation – Junior sport policy

Policy
Young people receive their most effective and satisfying sports experiences when they experience goodwill and cooperation between all levels of stakeholders.
Quality coaching  Junior sport policy cover

Quality coaching – Junior sport policy

Policy
The overall aim of coaches is to help young people build a love of participating in sport for life-long involvement.
Sport pathways cover

Sport pathways – Junior sport policy

Policy
During their growth from 5–17 years, young people develop physically, psychologically, emotionally and socially.
The law and sport cover

The law and sport – Junior sport policy

Policy
Sport and the law is a complex area for clubs and associations.
Youth sport policy

Youth sport – Junior sport policy

Policy
Regular participation in physical activity and sport is important for young people's health and wellbeing.
Page reviewed 11 September 2023