Auskick for adults? Researchers say modified sport could be key to getting more adults playing

Two thirds of young Aussies play sport – but this drops significantly for adults. Researchers say Auskick-style models for mums and dads across the codes could change that.

Adelaide researchers say too many “working age adults” are missing out on the fun and physical benefits of sport due to family and work commitments. Picture: Tom Huntley

Auskick-style models of sport for adults are being mooted as a way to keep people playing sport for longer.

Adelaide researchers say too many “working age adults” are missing out on the fun and physical benefits of sport due to family and work commitments.

Flinders Uni PhD candidate Sarah Crossman, a research assistant at the Sport, Health, Activity, Performance and Exercise (SHAPE) Research Centre, said a new study into why adults participate in sport – and what stops them – revealed a different approach was likely needed to entice them back to playing it.

“We know that in Australia, two thirds of young people play sport but this drops to only a third when looking at Australians aged over 55,” she said.

“With over a third of Australians likely not to be doing enough exercise each week, organised sport could prove a useful public health tool if we could encourage more people to join or continue playing.

Researchers suggest modifications to sports – similar to children’s sport – to help draw adults back onto the sporting field. Picture: Tom Huntley

“A lot of research has been done looking into sport participation for children and adolescents and also older adults, so people over 65.

“But there is a bit of a gap in current research in what I define as the ‘working age adults’ who typically have a lot of competing priorities.”

Ms Crossman said her team’s research showed work and family commitments were stopping many from getting involved in sport with finances and limited free time also reported as major constraints.

The fix could be modified programs.

“You see a lot of modifications happening in children’s sport, so they might make the oval smaller, or change certain rules around contact,” Ms Crossman said.

“We have seen the emergence of sports such as walking netball and futsal … we can take this a step further to design many other modified sports programs … (to) consider creative ways to get adults involved in sports, whether that is through families participating together, shortened game times, or different structures to sport.”

Rugby Union SA is already preparing to roll out a modified, non-contact game in the off season.

“It’ll retain all facets (of the sport) such as kicking, the scrum and line out … but being non-contact it’ll be all-inclusive and size won’t make a difference,” CEO Carl Jones said.

RUSA coach education manager Robert Sadler and Under 16s player Ashley John each say they are looking forward to the new, tag-type competition that will allow players of all ages and skill level to take part.