Sport Integrity Australia has released the inaugural findings of its Hear me play: Youth Perceptions of Safety in Sport Study, offering powerful insights into how young people experience sport and what makes them feel safe. The results strongly reinforce the priorities of the True Sport program, proudly supported by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport, which continues to champion safe, fair and fun sport across Western Australia.
More than 1,000 young people aged 12 to 18 contributed to the national survey, with overwhelmingly positive responses:
- 93% love or like their sport
- 93% feel safe always or most of the time
- 91% say they have fun consistently
Young people identified friendships, fitness and fun as their top motivators for participation - mirroring the core values promoted through True Sport’s Mental Health & Wellbeing and Sideline Behaviour initiatives.
Key Findings Aligned with True Sport Priorities
The study highlighted several themes that directly align with True Sport’s work in the WA sector:
- Positive culture matters. Reduced enjoyment was the main reason for dropout, underscoring True Sport’s focus on creating environments where young people feel supported, welcomed and included.
- Peer behaviour influences safety. With 27% of young people witnessing bullying in sport, the findings validate True Sport’s ongoing work to equip clubs with tools to recognise and respond to peer‑on‑peer issues, backed by the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
- Trusted adults play a central role. The research confirms that parents who encourage rather than criticise help young people feel safer and more confident. This aligns with True Sport’s education for parents, volunteers and coaches on positive sideline behaviour and supportive communication.
- Young people want a voice. The strong willingness (92%) to report inappropriate behaviour highlights the importance of child-friendly reporting tools and information - an area True Sport continues to strengthen through community education, club workshops and partnership projects.
Informing Future True Sport Work in WA
The findings will support True Sport’s commitment to embedding child safeguarding and wellbeing across all levels of sport in Western Australia. With the agency’s focus on accessible education, capacity-building for clubs, and proactive support for coaches, parents and volunteers, the study provides valuable evidence to guide future priorities.
As WA prepares for growing participation in the lead‑up to Brisbane 2032, the Hear me play insights reinforce that young people want sporting environments where they feel safe, respected and connected- values at the heart of the True Sport program.
To access resources and support visit our True Sport Resources Hub or Sport Integrity Australia Resources.
