WHY AUSSIE KIDS ARE TURNING THEIR BACKS ON SPORT

New data shows that too many children are dropping the ball, and the consequences could last a lifetime

It used to be that weekends meant cricket whites and muddy knees, with parents shivering on the sidelines and kids burning energy faster than their snack money would last.

But new data suggests that for nearly half of Australian children, that world is fast disappearing.

According to an analysis by Net World Sports, based on the AusPlay survey released in May 2025, 47.6% of Aussie kids aren’t regularly playing sport, meaning they aren’t even managing one game or training session a fortnight.

For a nation that likes to call itself a sporting powerhouse, that figure should raise eyebrows and alarm bells.

The unfit truth

The top reason kids are ditching sports? They don’t like physical activity. Nearly one in five (19.3%) said they have no interest in breaking a sweat, with girls (10.4%) more likely to avoid it than boys (8.7%).

Researchers suggest that low confidence, negative experiences, or even body image pressures may be behind the aversion.

Next come the familiar culprits: sport isn’t a priority (9.6%), there’s “no time” (8.2%), or kids just can’t be bothered (8.6%).

It’s a worrying cocktail of apathy and overload, too tired, too busy, too online.

The result? A generation trading teamwork and outdoor fun for screens and sedentary habits.

And if you think that’s just a lifestyle shift, think again. Studies have long linked regular sport to better physical health, sharper academic outcomes, improved social skills, and lower rates of anxiety and depression.

Losing that foundation means more than just fewer trophies; it means an entire generation growing up without one of the simplest and most natural buffers against stress.

The cost of competition in kids' sports

Of course, not every child chooses to sit on the bench. For many families, sport has become unaffordable.

About 14 per cent of parents reported they couldn’t afford the costs, from uniforms and registration fees to petrol for weekend games.

It’s no secret that sport has become a luxury item. What used to be a few dollars for a club membership can now mean hundreds for equipment, travel, and club fees.

For households juggling rent and groceries, that’s often game over.

Children from higher-income families play sports far more often than those from lower-income backgrounds, a gap that’s quietly widening.

For some kids, “equal opportunity” on the field is only theoretical.

Barriers beyond money

Then there are the structural hurdles. Some children are locked out because of age restrictions (7.2%), lack of inclusivity for disabilities (6.3%), or fear of injury (5.2%).

That last one might sound minor, but it’s real. In the age of helicopter parenting and risk-averse culture, fewer parents are encouraging rough-and-tumble play, even though it builds resilience and coordination.

And while elite programs soak up sponsorship dollars, local clubs, the lifeblood of Australian sport, are struggling to stay afloat.

Volunteer shortages, dwindling community funding, and rising insurance costs are making it harder for grassroots programs to thrive.

A cultural crossroads

Australia has always taken pride in its sporting spirit. From Ash Barty to the Matildas, the narrative has been one of grit, talent, and national pride.

But underneath that glossy highlight reel lies a quieter reality — fewer kids even getting the chance to kick a ball, hit a serve, or cross a finish line.

That’s not just bad news for future Olympians. It’s bad news for the social fabric. Sport teaches teamwork, discipline, and how to handle loss, lessons that no app or YouTube tutorial can replace.

If we want to raise healthier, more connected kids, the answer isn’t another awareness campaign. It’s about investing in affordable, inclusive, and accessible community sports, ensuring that kids see movement not as a chore, but as a joy.