Key numbers
of young people surveyed love their sport
said the main reason for dropping out of sport, is not having fun anymore
of survey participants were willing to report inappropriate behaviour
Hear me play
Hear me play: youth perceptions of safety in sport is a long-term study designed to amplify the voices of children and young people in Australian sport and help shape future safeguarding priorities.
Running over five years, the study provides important insight into how young people experience sport and what helps them feel safe.
This first report shares the findings from the 2025 annual survey, completed by more than 1,000 young people aged 12 to 18 from across Australia.
Get the report
Hear me play – Youth perceptions of safety in sport 2025 survey results.
Watch the video
What young people told us
Overall, young people told us they love sport – and having supportive parents on the sideline makes their experience even more positive.
A key theme emerging from this first year is the need to strengthen young people’s understanding of inappropriate behaviours and when to speak up.
Many also highlighted the importance of inclusion and accessibility, with these factors influencing whether they stay involved in sport over time.
Key findings
- Most young people feel safe and happy in sport
- Friendship, fitness and fun are the main reasons they participate
- Exposure to negative experiences can make young people more likely to accept poor behaviour as normal
- Positive encouragement from parents boosts how safe and supported young people feel.
This first year of the study provides a baseline understanding of young people’s experiences.
Its purpose is not to change behaviour immediately, but to help build a clearer picture of what young people are seeing, feeling and needing in sport environments.
Over the coming years, we will expand the study and track trends to support long term, evidence-based improvements.
What happens next
Drawing on these findings, Sport Integrity Australia will work with leading experts to develop practical tools and resources to help sports:
- respond to peer-to-peer issues more effectively
- support sports in communicating to children and young people the standards of behaviour they should expect from adults who are responsible for their safety
- embed safer practices across all levels of sport
- improve sideline behaviour to support junior referees and umpires
- deliver National Integrity Framework policies in child-friendly language so they are easier for young people to understand.