Benefits of sport backed

Survey amid AFL push

NEW research suggests sporting groups provide more community leadership than government and trade unions, as Tasmania continues its push for a state AFL side.

A survey by Swinburne University’s Leadership Index shows more than 30 per cent of people believe sporting organisations demonstrate leadership for the greater good to a large extent.

Twenty three per cent of the 1000 people surveyed said the Federal Government provided leadership for the greater good.

University sport innovation research group director Adam Karg — who spearheaded the membership drive during the formative years of the Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants — said the establishment of a Tasmanian AFL team would have outreaching community benefit.

“The research demonstrates that the public see the capacity of sport organisations to deliver public or social good,” Dr Karg said.

“This extends to professional leagues and teams, as well as national organisations and local or community clubs that deliver sport.

“The delivery of social outcomes is an important component of leading for the greater good, with programs delivered for community a prominent opportunity for new and existing sport teams.

“The Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants were among new sport teams who focused heavily on community as part of fan development strategies.

“Specifically from a fandevelopment view, delivering community programs and leveraging community sport provides a point of attachment for teams to build their brands, as well as fan and membership bases.”

Tasmania’s AFL case ramped up in August when the State Government-formed taskforce launched the unitedwestand.com.au website with the hope of gaining 50,000 pledges to get the AFL’s attention.

So far more than 47,000 people have put their name forward for support.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jeremy Rockliff said sport built social and leadership skills.

“As a Government, we believe it is time for teams of our own in the AFL and AFLW as we believe they can have a unifying effect for Tasmania, provide leadership and an example of being able to achieve at the highest level while remaining in the state,” he said.

“The Liberal Government recognises that playing sport is key to establishing lifelong healthy habits and has a range of individual and social benefits, including improving physical and mental health.”