Hear me play is a long-term study designed to amplify the voices of children and young people in Australian sport and help shape future safeguarding priorities. 

The study, which will be conducted annually over five years, provides important insights into how young people experience sport and what helps them feel safe. 

More than 1,000 young people aged 12 to 18 took part in the survey during 2025. 

Key insights include: 

When asked why they enjoy sport, young people overwhelmingly prioritised friendships, fitness, and fun over winning or losing. 

However, around 1 in 3 said reduced enjoyment was the main reason for dropping out. 

The study also revealed that the more younger people are exposed to negative experiences in sport, the more likely they are to accept these situations as being normal. 

Notable findings include: 

The study also highlighted that parents play a vital role not only protecting young athletes but shaping positive sporting experiences. 

Children with ‘Praise Parents’ – those who encourage them, were much more likely to feel safe, have fun, love their sport and be motivated to participate, than those with ‘Instruction Parents’ – those who tell their child what to do and how to do it, and ‘Criticism Parents’ – those who tell their child what they did wrong. 

As we look toward Brisbane 2032 and welcome more young people into sport, it’s clear the future of sporting culture lies in their hands, making this work more vital than ever.