Athletics is the most universal of pursuits, offering something for everyone through running, jumping, throwing and rolling. From schoolyard athletics carnivals to the youth and pandemic-fueled explosion in run clubs, athletics is woven into the fabric of Australian life. Today, participation is at it highest level ever with more than 4 million Australians participating in athletics in all its forms.
Four powerful forces are converging which present athletics with an unprecedented opportunity.
The Athletics in Australia National Participation Plan has been developed by athletics, for athletics. Whilst the process has been led by Australian Athletics with support from the Australian Sports Commission, this plan has ultimately been shaped by key stakeholders across all levels of athletics in Australia.
* Menti is an online interactive tool that was used to gather participant input during the seven stakeholder workshops.
The Athletics in Australia National Participation Plan 2026 – 2034 consists of eight key themes that align with Play Well and aim to drive the continued growth of athletics in Australia.
Enhance collaboration and alignment between stakeholders, increase support, and improve culture to deliver a more effective athletics ecosystem.
Develop, strengthen, and connect participation opportunities to support participants to engage and re-engage with athletics throughout their lives.
Increase access to athletics by adapting and expanding offerings to meet contemporary consumer needs and fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Pursue strategic and evidence-based athletics infrastructure development and explore non-traditional facilities, places, and events to facilitate participation opportunities and drive growth.
Develop, support, and celebrate coaches, officials, volunteers, and staff to improve the participant experience, and ensure athletics can meet demand for future participation growth.
Leverage data, systems, digital tools, and technology solutions to enhance decision-making, improve efficiency in delivery and optimise the participant experience.
Harness the power of storytelling to highlight the reach, power, and impact of athletics participation beyond high-performance outcomes.
Secure the future of athletics in Australia by embracing and catering to the full spectrum of athletics participants, addressing climate impacts, and defining Brisbane 2032 legacy outcomes.
The 2026–2034 Athletics in Australia National Participation Plan contains 96 actions and initiatives. Below is a high-level overview of key initiatives contained within the Plan.
• Strengthen relationships and governance between athletics bodies at all levels
• Prioritise safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments aligned with the National Integrity Framework.
• Support the development of club capability and capacity.
• Improve culture and enhance safeguarding systems and processes.
• Recruit, train, and retain a diverse, well-supported workforce.
• Expand education and mentoring for coaches, officials, and volunteers.
• Harness technology to reduce volunteer workload, improve efficiency, and enhance the participant experience.
• Increase gender, age, and cultural diversity.
• Support participation throughout the various life stages by diversifying product offerings and making it easier for participants to enter and re-enter athletics.
• Improve school athletics delivery, connections, and support.
• Enhance the connection between athletics participation products and services.
• Expand recreational running offerings and leverage the Sydney Marathon.
• Improve participation data collection and systems to improve service offerings.
• Investigate the use of technology, including artificial intelligence, to assist in officiating events and improving participant experience.
• Invest in analytical capability and tools to enhance decision-making.
• Provide education and tools to support increased workforce usage of technology.
• Implement initiatives to engage underrepresented groups.
• Improve para classification understanding and accessibility.
• Expand disability participation options beyond para-classification so that more people with a disability can engage in athletics.
• Grow games-based, short form programs to complement traditional products.
• Increase coverage of grassroots and community athletics stories.
• Highlight the social and community benefits of athletics beyond elite performance.
• Engage ambassadors (athletes, coaches, volunteers) to inspire participation.
• Develop campaigns to promote welcoming, safe, and inclusive environments.
• Consider the introduction of a set of National participation-focused awards.
• Develop evidence-based state and national facilities plans.
• Develop guidance for complementary facilities such as 200m short track.
• Advocate for increased investment in athletics facilities across the country.
• Improve access to existing venues and utilise smaller or non-traditional spaces.
• Explore new event-hosting opportunities to drive facility development.
• Develop new and refine existing product and service offerings.
• Develop a targeted legacy plan to leverage Brisbane 2032.
• Create a Sustainability Action Plan addressing climate impacts on athletics.
• Strengthen partnerships and financial sustainability.
The overarching success of the Athletics in Australia National Participation Plan 2026 – 2034 will be measured against the success indicator statements and overall participant targets below. As part of the operational planning process, quantitative and qualitative measures and targets will be developed for each specific initiative.
This short form version of the Athletics in Australia National Participation Plan 2026 – 2034 contains a high-level overview of the key aspects of the Plan. The long form version identifies some 96 actions and initiatives across the eight key themes. The implementation of the Athletics in Australia National Participation Plan 2026 – 2034 will be guided by a detailed operational plan which will identify and sequence the priority actions and initiatives across three horizons. This has been preceded by an initial establishment phase to establish foundations for the implementation of the Plan.
The following athletics organisations have endorsed the Plan and will work collaboratively to deliver its various elements to ensure that everyone has a place in athletics.
