Sport is a key element of a cohesive and thriving national community. It is a tool for achieving outcomes in areas such as education, health, leadership development and fair play, and is unrivalled in its ability to link heart, mind and body, to connect individuals and to inspire communities.

Increasingly, all sporting organisations are being held accountable for their governance. Governance is not only relevant to large national sporting organisations; it is important for all organisations in the sector. It is for this reason that these Sport Governance Principles were co-designed through a whole-of-sector engagement.

These principles can be used throughout the Australian sport sector, from small local clubs to large national organisations, but the details and explanations tend to be most applicable to national sporting organisations and state/territory sporting organisations.  Read more and download the Sport Governance Principles

The State Government has announced one of the most significant investments in sport and community infrastructure in Western Australian history, with a $300 million package as part of the government's $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan.  The funding consists of:

• $130 million package to upgrade sport facilities, including grassroots clubs and high performance facilities
• $170 million to upgrade local community facilities across the State

The historic plan will benefit a range of projects throughout the State and create a pipeline of WA jobs, with local small businesses and contractors also set to benefit. 
Read more about this funding. For the full list of projects, visit http://inthistogether.wa.gov.au

The Minister for Sport and Recreation Mick Murray joined SportWest members at the Gold Netball Centre to receive the Strategic Priorities for WA Sport from SportWest Chairman Michael Beros on 15 July.

A series of priorities have been developed across three themes:
1.  Capability - Developing the people and the organisations who support the industry.
2. Access - Improving access to sport participation opportunities for the community.
3. Innovation - Growing a sport sector that embraces knowledge, collaboration, data and technology.

The document is the first of its kind in Western Australia, having been prepared by the industry for the industry.  Download the Strategic Priorities document.

The Western Australian Sports Federation (SportWest) has received a Healthway grant of $82,500 to develop a framework to guide and strengthen mental health prevention initiatives across community sport in Western Australia.

Healthway’s Director of Health Promotion Julia Knapton said, the grant would see SportWest coordinate the project in partnership with Healthway, the WA Association for Mental Health, the Mental Health Commission and Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

“The framework will support the local sports sector to effectively promote mental health and increase mental health literacy in the community,” Ms Knapton said.  Read more

While most winter sports in Western Australia are back in action this month, more than one in three participants have not yet returned to playing venues.
 
A survey by SportWest, the peak industry body for sport in Western Australia, has revealed that registrations across sports (junior and senior) are down by 29 per cent compared with the same time last year.

More than 65 per cent of State Sporting Associations that responded to the survey attributed the reduction in player numbers to the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown of sport. Nearly 35 per cent of respondents said affordability was the main driver for lower registrations, suggesting the economic impact of COVID-19 on households was having a flow on effect on community sport.
 
SportWest Chief Executive Rob Thompson said while community sport was getting back on its feet, the impact of COVID-19 would be felt for some time.
 
"It has been fantastic to see Western Australians active and returning to organised sport thanks to the commitment of club members and volunteers.," Mr Thompson said.  "But many in the sports sector and club land are doing it tough. There has been limited to no revenue coming through the door for many months and one in three club members are yet to return to their sport of choice. 
 
"This is a challenge for our community. Sport plays a crucial role in the physical and mental well-being of our society and it is really important that everyone has the opportunity to join their local sports clubs. We urge all those participants who are yet to reregister with their local club to make contact now and return to enjoying their sport.," he said. "For those in the community who are doing it tough financially, there are a number of options available through your club or State Sporting Association to help get you back in action."

In a first for Australia, which has never hosted a senior FIFA tournament, the 2023 women's edition of the FIFA World Cup will bring the world’s best players to our shores.

While the final match schedule is still to be determined, the Australia-New Zealand bid proposed the use of 13 stadiums across 12 cities - with Perth's rectangular stadium set to host a number of matches. The recently announced $32.5 million State Football Centre will be completed in time for the tournament, providing world-class facilities for the world's best players.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said the media exposure of a World Cup was “invaluable”, with last year’s tournament in France having broadcasted to an estimated one billion people.
“Securing a global spectacle of this kind demonstrates Perth and Western Australia’s ongoing development as vibrant, desirable travel destinations. The benefits from hosting the tournament will flow through to our tourism and hospitality industries and the wider economy, helping to create jobs.” Mr Papalia said. Media statement.