CAS is concerned that throughout the adult lifestages more and more Australian women are becoming disconnected from community sport.

CAS has undertaken an important research project to understand why this is happening, what the pressure points are and what could be done to make continuing in community sport more accessible, doable and desirable for women throughout Australia.

The research project entitled “Retaining the Membership of Women in Sport” surveys over 1,100 female participants from the last 4 Australian Masters Games and includes in-depth interviews with over 20 others. The report reveals the challenges that women face in participating in sport, the strategies they use and the reasons they love playing their sport. There are some recommendations for sporting organisations and policy makers about how to improve women’s sport participation.

CAS applauds the work of Australian Womensport and Recreation Association (AWRA) in creating the Charter for Active Australian Women and also to former Federal Minister for Sport Kate Lundy for funding the creation of the ASC Women in Sport Unit.

CAS looks forward to working with the new Federal Sports Minister the Hon Peter Dutton and other interest groups in the future.

Research Report – Retaining the Membership of Women in Sport final 16.1.14