What we do

Sport and active recreation are an important part of Victoria’s social, cultural and economic life. Our strong and vibrant sport and active recreation system currently supports over 3 million Victorians who regularly participate in sport and active recreation.

Victoria is home to over 110 state sporting associations and state sport and recreation bodies, 6 regional academies of sport, 9 regional sports assemblies, 52 professional teams playing in national competitions, and 32 national sport organisations are based in Victoria. Victoria also has 46 high-performance state sporting facilities that support the progression of our athletes through to the elite level and more than 754,000 volunteers who help to administer thousands of sport and active recreation opportunities across the State.

Victoria has a global reputation as a major sporting events capital. Our world-class sporting infrastructure supports a calendar of major events that stimulates the visitor economy and adds over $2.5 billion per annum to the State’s economy. The States’ breathtaking scenery, diverse natural environments and networks of trails, parks and reserves also attract many visitors drawn to outdoor adventures and provides more opportunities for Victorians to recreate and dwell in their local communities.

The way our investments are making Victoria the place to live, work, stay and play. is highlighted in our Community Sports Infrastructure 2024 Outcomes Statement.

In the last 2 years alone more than 330 funded facilities, subject of the report, have increased participation by almost 43% or over 70,200 new participants, including a 19% increase in girls playing sport.

That’s more people of all ages and abilities swimming, playing soccer, netball, volleyball, skateboarding, cycling and more at a range of facilities from skate parks to netball courts, close to home.

And it’s not just participation that’s booming, local economies have been boosted with over 1,170 direct full-time jobs supported in the delivery of more than $538 million worth of infrastructure across Victoria.

Sport and Recreation Victoria works collaboratively with the not-for-profit, private and government sectors to:

• establish thriving places and communities that are safe, fair, and inclusive
• support the health and wellbeing of all Victorians
• develop a strong and innovative economy
• build quality infrastructure that enhances the liveability of Victoria
• contribute to Victoria's transition to a net-zero emissions and climate-resilient economy by 2050.

Sport and Recreation Victoria maximises the social, cultural and economic benefits provided to all Victorians by focusing on six key outcomes:

• ensuring more Victorians can participate equitably in sport and active recreation
• delivering inclusive, accessible, and respectful places and spaces for sport and active recreation
• supporting the sport and active recreation workforce to ensure they are highly skilled and lead a strong, sustainable industry
• overseeing sport and active recreation to deliver a safe, inclusive, and resilient sector
• supporting all Victorians so they can achieve success at the highest level
• ensuring Victoria maintains a strong pipeline of sporting events within the Victorian events calendar.