Australia’s Olympic and Commonwealth Games sports have joined forces to unveil a significant national long-term vision of how sport can help power Australia’s future.

Sport: Powering Australia’s Future (10+10) is a joint submission by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) in conjunction with their member sports to the Federal Government’s 2021 Intergenerational Report (IGR).

The submission is not simply an ask for funding, but a strategy to reframe the relationship between sport and government for the benefit of the country.

By addressing the key barriers preventing the Sports Industry from delivering, the submission sets out how Sport can tackle Australia’s intergenerational challenges against very similar metrics to the ‘3Ps’ – Population, Participation and Productivity growth – that have framed IGRs for the past 20 years.

This is how sport will deliver Australia’s aspiration of a healthier, smarter, more active population, for all Australians, in all communities.

The CEO of the Australian Olympic Committee, Matt Carroll AM, said: “With the awarding of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to Brisbane, Australia has been given a gift of a generation. Through the power of sport, the Games will drive a 10-year runway of opportunity to 2032 and underpin a 10-year legacy post the Games for the next generation of Australians, 10+10. To achieve this requires investment by sport, government, the tertiary education sector and corporate Australia.

“Sport is good for our nation’s collective health, in addressing the nation’s obesity crisis, chronic diseases, mental health and personal development. Sport strengthens our communities and contributes to Australia’s economy. Sporting excellence builds national pride, motivation and inspires us all. The Australian athletes at the Tokyo Games, are leading by example, demonstrating that achievement requires resilience, commitment and hard work.”

In addition to sport’s important social role in Australia, the 10+10 submission highlights the direct economic, productivity and volunteering benefits from sport create total value to the national economy of approximately $83 billion annually, and a return to Australian communities of at least $7 for every $1 invested.

The CEO of Commonwealth Games Australia, Craig Phillips AM, said: “The 10+10 submission is not about money for winning medals. It is about how the power of sport can be better resourced and deployed to serve the needs of the community over the long term.

“Sports Industry infrastructure includes grass roots facilities used for participation, right through to world leading high performance and major event facilities. At a grass roots level, sporting infrastructure can provide a foundation from which to build prosperous communities, improving the liveability of Australian cities and regions, connecting people from different backgrounds around common objectives, supporting employment and the economy. This is the ‘virtuous circle’ that links grassroots sport and pathway development through to elite performance. It is all interconnected in the best interests of the nation.”

Mr Carroll said the 10+10 submission sets out a “green and gold” runway of international sporting events that pave the way to the opening of the Games in July 2032. “These are events that will deliver direct economic return to the country through tourism, infrastructure, technology, education and health. It’s about creating jobs and importantly helping businesses, particularly tourism and hospitality, recover from the crushing effect of the pandemic.

“Already more than 30 international events are scheduled for the decade, including the Women’s Basketball World Cup, World Road Cycling Championships, Women’s Football World Cup and Netball World Cup. Events in the bid pipeline include Rugby World Cup and Commonwealth Games.”

Mr Carroll and Mr Phillips praised their member sports foresight and commitment to working and collaborating with all levels of government, Sport Australia and the AIS to develop and implement the recommendations.

The CEOs of AOC and CGA have held briefings on the submission with the Treasurer, Health and Ageing Minister, Greg Hunt, and Sports Minister, Senator Richard Colbeck. The Treasurer has asked the AOC and CGA to develop a further submission ahead of the Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Outlook (MYEFO).

“In sport timing is everything. The time to chart a new path forward for Government and the Sports Industry is now,” Mr Carroll said.

The submission contains the following four recommendations.

Sport 2030 Implementation Plan
Develop an appropriately funded Implementation Plan for Sport 2030 to enable the Sports Industry to deliver the Plan’s objectives and contribute to intergenerational challenges.

Redefine the Sport Investment Framework
The future investment framework needs to be considered in the light of the 10+10 opportunity, with a minimum of four-year certainty of allocations to sports based on sports presenting and being accountable for their business plan.

National Sport Event Strategy
Develop and fund a national strategic initiative, in collaboration with AOC and CGA, for major sporting events to ensure benefits and legacy are maximised.

Inclusion of the Sports Industry in policy development
Include the AOC and CGA as part of current and future formal policy development activities to reflect the broader value of sport in delivering government objectives.