What is Sport?

Modifying a sport allows the governing organisation to offer a single product (i.e., sport) in several different (but related) formats to suit a wide range of needs. ¹¹

Modified sports can take many forms but are generally designed to be an introductory, or more accessible version, of a sport. Programs may focus on children, mature-age participants, persons with disability, the time poor, people looking for more social (less competitive) opportunities, or gender. ¹²

Modified sports also help to develop general movement skills and basic techniques. Modified equipment and rules are used to match the capabilities (age, physical size, motor skill proficiency, etc.) of participants. ^{13, 14}

For more information see the Modified Sports topic.

'Social sport' also sometimes called ‘informal sport’ is a term used to identify engagement in sport in a less formal context, e.g., beach or backyard cricket, a group of friends who get together to play football or basketball, cycling or running groups. ¹⁵

Social sports may have many of the elements of modified or recreational sports, including elements of competition, and a similar look and feel to standard or traditional sports, but there is generally no governing organisation to influence the participants' intent, or assign external value to any competition outcome. ¹⁵

People engage in social sport for many reasons, most of them intrinsic, e.g., for enjoyment, personal health and fitness, emotional wellbeing (feeling good), and social interaction (inclusion and friendship). ¹⁵

Sporting organisations increasingly view social sport as a way to increase their brand appeal, satisfy consumer demand, create a long-term affiliation with their (potential) customers, and engage a wide range of ability levels within a single sporting context. ^{16, 17, 18}

A common strategy underpinning a social sport product is to reduce the need for acquired skills and experience, while highlighting the social and fitness components of the activity. This approach is intended to create a wider appeal to different ages and persons having different skill levels, encouraging them to participate together.

The below examples illustrate how a standard sport can become more social (Barefoot Bowls, AFL 9’s) and a social sport (Basketball 3x3, Pole sports) can become more mainstream.

• Barefoot Bowls uses existing bowls venues in a (primarily) social context to stage the activity. Participants don’t need any experience to have fun with the game. Some expert guidance is provided as part of the hosting arrangements, as well as equipment. Sessions are organised upon request, so a regular playing schedule is not necessary.
• AFL 9s. A more ‘social’ version of Australian Rules Football that can be played on smaller fields with less players and is also being actively promoted internationally. ¹⁹ The game can be mixed gender and offers both tackling and non-contact versions, making it suitable for people of any age or skill level.
• Basketball 3x3. An informal street and playground favourite for many years 3x3 has been brought into the mainstream of sport as national and international governing bodies formalised this version of the game—including launching a World Cup in 2012. ²⁰ In 2017 the sport was selected as an official Olympic sport for the Tokyo 2020 Games. ²¹ This is an example of a social sport that has become mainstream by standardising rules (ten minute periods, 12 second shot-clock, played on a half-court, etc.), and providing a pathway to formal competition.
• Pole sports. In around 10 years 'pole' moved from being a popular form of fitness training (2000), to first introduction as a sport (2006), the foundation of the International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) (2009), and continues to work towards recognition by the International Olympic Committee. The IPSF has worked to standardise elements including scoring, judging, and competitions. The first World Championship was held in 2012. A number of disciplines and categories have now been introduced including junior and senior men's and women's singles, doubles, mixed, artistic, para, and ultra. In January 2024 IPSF recognised 24 national federations (including Australia). It is an example of the potential for an 'activity' to develop into an organised sport. ^{22, 23}

Esports (electronic sports) is a collective term used to describe organized, competitive, video gaming. ²⁴

Not every video game is considered an esport (e.g., the Sims). Examples of esport games include tactical (or first person) shooter), multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), fighting, real-time strategy (RTS), and sports SIM (simulation games of traditional sports e.g. FIFA and NBA). ²⁴

An emerging genre is also simulated sports and/or ‘fitness gaming’ (e.g. Hado, Zwift). These genres replicate sport and physical activity on a digital platform, where participants compete or train with an online community. ²⁵

There is considerable debate around whether esports can be considered ‘sports’ and if they should be recognised as such (which can facilitate new avenues of funding and the potential to engage more people). ^{26, 27}

Esport advocates argue that it meets many of the criteria for traditional sport recognition. They are physical (require skill/fine motor control), competitive (have winners and losers within detailed rules and regulations), and organised (tournaments, national and international organising bodies). ^{28, 29}

The value of the esport industry (billions of dollars, with multiple professional leagues, hundreds of thousands of professional players and fans, and even purpose-built stadiums) and the rise in popularity of simulated sport and augmented/virtual platforms has led to further pressure on sports organisations and governments to consider recognition and/or integration of these activities as ‘sports’, including the potential for inclusion in the Olympic and Paralympic Games programs. ^{30, 31, 32, 33}

For more information see the Esports topic.

Adventure and urban sports often use elements of traditional sports (e.g. the performance skills involved with running, cycling, paddling, skiing, etc.), but in a modified format and in outdoor environments. The core elements of sport (physical exertion and/or skill, competition, rules, and organisations) apply, but not in a traditional sense. ²⁵

Examples of adventure and urban sports include BMX freestyle, skate sports, adventure racing, parkour, urban climbing, and more. ²⁵

Adventure and urban sports emphasise resourcefulness, cooperation, group-cohesion, physical fitness, and proficiency. There may also be an element of managed risk, and this usually adds to the appeal. ²⁵

These activities often appeal to the non-conforming individuals, especially youth audiences, more than formal sports and may be popularised through being filmed or showcased on social media and YouTube. ²⁵

The public perception of ‘what is sport’ has changed over time. Some sport activities that may have once been considered ‘extreme’ have been modified and structured into mainstream sport. ²⁵ Conversely, mainstream sports have been modified to become ‘extreme’ (e.g., ‘extreme skiing’). ³⁴

Extreme sports usually involve speed, height, physical exertion, significant risk of death or injury, and may require highly specialised equipment. ^{35, 36} In many cases a sport is modified (to the extreme), so that new rules change the sport action into something new; or in some cases no rules apply. ³⁵ Extreme sports are increasingly popular in terms of spectator appeal, media coverage, and corporate sponsorship. ³⁷

Extreme sports may apply the three criteria of a ‘sport’—competition, rules, and organisational structure—but in different ways. Fewer or different rules are likely to apply, competition may be with oneself (rather than an opponent) or against the environment, and organisations (where they exist) generally sit outside mainstream international sporting federations or associations. ^{35, 37, 38}

Two examples of different evolutionary paths involving extreme sports are:

• Sky diving. Once considered an extreme activity, over many years it has integrated itself into an accepted sporting code, ‘Sports Jumping’. Skydiving events for individuals and teams are now sanctioned by national and international federations. Competition events have rules, they are judged on athletic and artistic merit, scored according to judging criteria, and the results are recorded.
• Downhill ski racing was one of the original alpine disciplines recognised by the world governing body of skiing (FIS), and is an exciting, fast, and technical sport. ³⁹ However, extreme downhill skiing, also known as ‘big mountain skiing’ has taken the risk to a new level. There are no ‘rules’ per se, no course, and no limit to the conditions which challenge extreme skiers to demonstrate what is humanly possible. ⁴⁰

“Recreation is an activity that people engage in during their free time, that people enjoy, and that people recognise as having socially redeeming values. The activity performed is less important than the reason for performing the activity, which is the outcome”. ⁴¹

‘Active recreation’ (e.g., hiking, paddling, cycling, jogging) is generally non-competitive physical activity engaged in for the purpose of relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment. ^{2, 8, 42} These activities can have many of the characteristics of sport, including being social (when done with friends, likeminded people, or in organised groups) and involving a progression of participation and movement skills across the life course. ⁴²

Governments, particularly local jurisdictions, provide open space and facilities (e.g., parks, ovals, indoor and outdoor facilities) for recreational activity. ^{43, 44} However, people generally engage in active recreation at a time that suits their needs, and in a less-formal setting that may include, but does not rely upon, varying degrees of competition, rules, and organisational involvement. ^{42, 44}

'Play' refers to physical activities that are freely undertaken for pleasure. It is generally fun (although it can be serious) and participatory, intrinsically motivated, unstructured, and free of externally imposed rules (e.g., for children not directed by adults). ⁴

There is evidence that play is linked to positive cognitive and social development benefits for children, which suggests that it is an important area of focus for improving overall health and wellbeing long term. ^{45, 46}

While often considered an activity for children, play, as a creative expression of physical activity, is also a valuable activity for adults that can help improve social and mental wellbeing and improves cognitive flexibility and alertness. ^{46, 47, 48, 49}

Australian sports, and the ways in which we engage with sport and physical exercise, are being transformed by new technologies, changing environmental conditions, shifting value systems, new habits and lifestyles and the increasing diversity of the Australian population. ²⁵

The second Future of Australian Sport: Megatrends shaping the sport sector over coming decades (2022) identifies six updated megatrends that will shape the Australian sports sector in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, and beyond.

• Escalate the exercise – new pathways to sport.
• New horizons – science and technology changing the game.
• The next arena – the rise of entertainment sports.
• Mind the gap – bringing Australia together across generational and societal divides.
• Our best sporting side – safe, sustainable, and inclusive for all.
• The perfect pivot – adapting to an uncertain world.

International strategies, policies, programs, reports and research relating to the future of sport.