SportWest’s True Sport program, proudly supported by the WA State Government, has been independently recognised as a high-impact, sector-leading initiative that is helping make sport safer, healthier and more inclusive across Western Australia.
Delivered by SportWest in partnership with the WA State Government, the program has been independently evaluated by the University of Western Australia, with findings confirming that True Sport is achieving significant outcomes for the community sport sector and setting a benchmark nationally.
Designed by the industry, for the industry, True Sport responds directly to the needs of Western Australian sporting organisations. The evaluation highlighted the program’s strong implementation, broad reach and meaningful impact, with 100% of Member Organisations reporting increased confidence in addressing key issues in sport.
Key Evaluation Highlights
Mental Health and Wellbeing
True Sport’s mental health initiatives continue to strengthen the capability of sporting organisations to support their people.
Key findings include:
- 92% of sport administrators reported improved mental health awareness, knowledge and confidence
- Online learning delivered a statistically significant improvement in mental health literacy
- 98–100% of participants reported confidence after training, compared with 61–73% beforehand
- More than half (54%) of organisations have already changed how they manage mental health internally
- The Employee and Volunteer Assistance Program has helped retain staff and volunteers following critical incidents, including bereavements within sporting communities
Child Safeguarding
True Sport is also supporting organisations to create safer environments for children and young people.
Evaluation results found:
- 100% of Online Resource Hub users reported improved knowledge and confidence in child safeguarding
- 96% of sporting bodies identified the resources as a valuable source of support
- 91% reported improved safeguarding and integrity knowledge following workshops
- 89% felt more confident communicating about safeguarding
- 73% of organisations have strengthened their safeguarding practices through policy updates, Board endorsement and the introduction of new integrity roles
Sideline Behaviour
The Sideline Behaviour initiative is helping sporting organisations address poor conduct and promote positive sporting environments.
Findings include:
- 82% of organisations reported greater confidence in addressing sideline behaviour and a stronger intention to take action
- 91–100% agreed the initiative was valuable, appropriate and clearly communicated
- 92 sports shared the campaign video with their communities
- 50% reported tangible changes, including policy improvements and stronger enforcement practices
“True Sport is a true testament to what we have needed in the sport and recreation industry for a long time. It provides sport-related content which isn’t scary to use and is easily understandable.”
– SportWest Member Organisation, 2026 Evaluation
Growing Impact Across Western Australia
True Sport is now operating at a scale rarely seen in Australian community sport.
In 2025, the program:
- Engaged 64 State Sporting Associations, collectively representing more than 1 million participants, members and volunteers
- Delivered 109 workshops and webinars, representing a 172% increase on the previous year
- Reached communities across metropolitan and regional Western Australia, with 58% of delivery in metropolitan areas and 42% in regional locations
- Recorded more than 15,000 interactions with the True Sport Online Resource Hub since the launch.
Reflecting on the results, SportWest True Sport Manager Jasmine Cappellucci said the evaluation demonstrates the power of a sector-led approach to creating positive change.
"The findings of this evaluation reinforce what we have consistently heard from our members across Western Australia — that practical, sport-specific education and support can create meaningful change. True Sport was built for the industry, by the industry, and these results demonstrate the collective commitment of sporting organisations to creating safer, healthier and more inclusive environments for everyone involved in community sport. We are incredibly proud of the impact achieved alongside our members and partners, and excited about the opportunity to continue leading this important work across Western Australia and beyond."
– Jasmine Cappellucci, True Sport Manager, SportWest
Thank You for Being Part of the Journey
SportWest thanks its Member Organisations, the WA State Government and sector partners for their ongoing commitment to creating positive, safe and inclusive sporting environments.
Together, we are building stronger sporting communities and ensuring every participant, volunteer, coach, official and spectator can experience the benefits of sport in a safe and supportive environment.
