Revealed: The two big reasons why a SHOCKING number of Aussie kids are planning to give up on playing sport

A frightening percentage of young Australians want to stop playing sport according to a new report that has identified two big reasons for the alarming decline in participation by the country’s kids.

Research conducted by Allianz Australia shows a third of Aussie kids aged five to 15 have told their parents that they want to stop playing out-of-school sports in a result that will make for awful reading for the bosses of the country’s main codes.

The survey – which took in more than 1000 families across the country – found that 54 per cent of parents said time commitments were behind their kid’s desire to cease participating, with 46 per cent putting it down to the cost of playing.

On top of that, 30 per cent of those surveyed said their child has stopped playing non-school sports due to losing interest and taking up other activities like playing video games, with 16 per cent blaming competitiveness was the barrier to participation.

In another worrying development, half of all families with a disabled child reported that their kid had given up on out-of-school sport by the ages of eight to 11.

However, the research wasn’t all doom and gloom.

The survey found that 88 per cent of parents believe cheering kids on when they play is the best way to keep them involved, with big majorities saying sport increased confidence and self belief (72 per cent), and helped children learn teamwork (67 per cent).

The Olympic and Paralympic movements were pinpointed as great motivators for young Aussies, with 81 per cent of those surveyed saying they inspire children to get involved in sport.

The research showed a staggering third of Aussie kids aged five to 15 are planning to give up non-school organised sporting activities

Aussie parents are blaming demands on time and money for the eye-opening drop in participation by kids (stock image)  

The revelation that a third of young Australians want to ditch sport could have horrendous knock-on effects for not just big codes like the AFL, NRL and cricket, but also the country’s chances of excelling at the Olympics and Paralympics, in addition to individual sports like tennis and golf.

According to 2022 federal government figures, 47 per cent of Aussies aged up to 14 participate in an organised, non-school sporting activity at least once a week, with that rate almost identical for girls and boys.

Children in that age range are more likely to play organised sport if they have a parent who plays sport or regularly engages in a physical activity like going to the gym, if they come from a high-income family, and if they have one or two siblings.

On the other hand, they’re less likely to participate if they have three or more siblings, come from a family with low income, live in a remote or regional area or speak a language other than English at home.

Swimming was the most popular sport for kids aged up to 14, and the ACT had the highest percentage of kids who played regularly.