Who we are
The Office of Sport is the lead NSW Government agency for sport and active recreation.
Sport is defined as physical activity that can be undertaken by a team or an individual in a social or competitive environment in pursuit of a result. It can be organised or less formal with a greater focus on social outcomes.
Active recreation is defined as physical activity for the purposes of relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment which can be self-directed or facilitated by a provider or organisation.
How we deliver
We provide leadership, policies, programs, funding and infrastructure to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Our Focus
Supporting the sector in adapting and growing sport and active recreation across NSW.
What we want to achieve
- Increased capability, agility and resilience of the sport and active recreation sector to respond to emerging trends and challenges.
- Increased capability of the sector to create equitable, safe and inclusive environments for everyone.
- Increased organisational health of the sport and active recreation sector.
- Increased sector satisfaction with the support of the Office of Sport.
- Improved participant retention across all age groups for sport and active recreation.
- Increased public awareness of both formal and informal sport and active recreation opportunities and their associated health and wellbeing benefits.
Ways of achieving
- Work and collaborate with peak bodies and the sector to grow and promote participation.
- Develop tools that support good governance practice.
- Support the sector to recognise and respond to challenges and emerging trends, and adapt product and service offerings accordingly.
- Educate, promote and maintain the value and role of sport integrity.
- Ensure resources are in place to build sector capability.
- Work with the sector and partners to provide programming that focuses on the overall wellbeing of participants and inspires continued participation.
Enabling an inclusive and accessible network of facilities and places for sport and active recreation.
What we want to achieve
- Increased number and diversity of fit-for-purpose sport and active recreation facilities across NSW.
- Improved capacity and adaptability of existing sport and active recreation infrastructure and facilities.
- Improved sustainability of the Office of Sport’s assets.
- Increased visitation, utilisation and access to Office of Sport Centres and Venues.
- Increased number of facilities designated and made available for outdoor recreation.
Ways of achieving
- Collaborate with stakeholders to facilitate access to existing sport infrastructure for new and existing user groups.
- Ensure the guidelines for sport infrastructure funding address the impacts of climate change on facilities and encourage appropriate adaptations as part of design and build considerations.
- Facilitate and encourage greater integration and collaboration with councils, state government and other facility and space providers on planning and delivery.
- Promote and support the delivery of facilities and spaces that are adaptable, accessible and enable utilisation by all participants for new and emerging sports.
- Maintain, upgrade and evaluate state-owned facilities.
- Ensure our Centres and Venues are fit for modern customer needs by adapting how we operate, manage and renew our assets.
- Support and advocate for facilities and spaces that are sustainable.
- Support the facilitation of access to natural environments for outdoor recreation.
Facilitating increased opportunities for inclusion in sport and active recreation so every person in NSW can participate throughout their whole life.
What we want to achieve
- Increased participation in sport and active recreation for populations in underrepresented groups including females, multicultural people, people with disability, First Nations people and the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Growth in partnerships and initiatives where diversity and inclusion are a key focus.
- Increased diversity in leadership and management across the sector.
- Increased opportunities to engage in the sport and active recreation sector.
Ways of achieving
- Be a sector leader, improving diversity at the Office of Sport and creating a workplace culture of inclusion.
- Provide leadership and policies that support participation opportunities accessible to everyone.
- Support industry to prepare policies that promote participation by priority groups.
- Pursue partnerships where diversity and inclusion are championed.
- Develop new programs and initiatives to support diversity and inclusion.
- Engage and consult with experts and people with lived experience to inform future policy and program development.
- Actively engage with communities to inform and improve access to sport and active recreation opportunities.
- Design, support and implement initiatives to overcome participation barriers, such as costs, access, self-esteem, risk of injury and awareness of opportunities.
- Research and identify how changing demographics and lifestyles alter the way everybody participates.
- Provide participation opportunities through evidence-based programs at Office of Sport, Sport and Recreation Centres and Olympic Sport Venues.
Pursuing partnerships and investment opportunities that facilitate and grow sport and active recreation in NSW.
What we want to achieve
- Recognition and promotion of the value and benefit of sport and active recreation as an important contributor to government priorities.
- Collaboration across all of government to increase the number of programs, services and facilities considering and incorporating sport and active recreation outcomes
- Increased number of sport and active recreation programs and events being codelivered by government and the sector.
- Growth in strategic partnerships that strengthen the overall sports ecosystem through innovative thinking and solutions.
- Increased private sector investment in the sport and active recreation sector.
- Reinforce NSW’s reputation for hosting the world’s biggest sporting events and tournaments and their importance in supporting the future growth of sport in the state.
Ways of achieving
- Highlight and communicate to our stakeholders the economic direct benefit and value of sport and active recreation.
- Articulate and promote the value and benefits to NSW of our centres and venues.
- Build relationships with new delivery partners and deliver programs through partnerships across the sector.
- Work with peak bodies and the sector to develop opportunities for sport and active recreation which connect to and support government priorities.
- Leverage investment in sport and active recreation to create and contribute to economic, health and social outcomes.
- Administer grant programs in line with the grant project objectives including value for money principles and the delivery of outcomes.
- Secure sustainable funding and investment sources.
- Ensure whole of government collaboration to plan and deliver major events, including the development and implementation of legacy programs and initiatives with the sector.
Ensuring the Office of Sport is sustainable, responsive and contemporary.
What we want to achieve
- A positive internal employee culture that amplifies the purpose and passion of the people who work for the Office of Sport.
- Sustainable organisational operations and growth.
- Growth in capacity and capability of Office of Sport employees for today and our future.
- Strong brand recognition that resonates with stakeholders and is associated with quality, innovation and trust.
- Foster a culture that promotes creativity, drives innovation, continuously explores new ideas and supports risk based decision making and outcomes.
- Exceptional customer service that exceeds the expectations of our customers and provides a positive and memorable experience.
- A socially responsible organisation where consideration of economic, environment and community impacts is embedded across all work.
Ways of achieving
- Foster and uphold a workplace environment where employees feel valued, safe, engaged and supported and where diversity and inclusion are prioritised.
- Embed a culture of accountability, child safeguarding and good governance across all work and ways of working.
- Encourage innovation and continuous improvement to meet evolving stakeholder and government needs.
- Attract, develop and engage a talented workforce that shares our purpose and passion.
- Seek out and increase revenue opportunities to become more sustainable in our own operations while ensuring compliance with government requirements.
- Improved use of technology, data and our people to better meet our customer needs and expectations and improving their end-to-end experience.
- Operate in a socially responsible manner, including developing and implementing initiatives relating to environmental sustainability, ethical practices and community engagement.