THE Australia’s Sports Diplomacy Strategy 2032 plus provides a new game plan for how Australian sports can be used to strengthen Australia’s connections with its closest neighbors, within the region, and beyond.
Australia’s new sports diplomacy strategy recognizes the importance of sports in international relations and gives Australian sporting organizations access to the advice and expertise they need for success on the international stage.
Developed with input from Australia’s sport sector, Australia’s Sports Diplomacy Strategy 2032 plus establishes a framework for close collaboration between the Australian Government and the sports sector, emphasizing that sports diplomacy is a team effort that works best when we work together.
The strategy sets out a refreshed vision and new goals for Australia’s sports diplomacy to ensure we capitalize on the increased international interest in Australian sporting excellence during the ‘green and gold decade’ of major sporting events hosted on Australian soil leading up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Sport is a connection we share with the Pacific, and deepening this connection is important. The Australian Government’s sport-related engagement programs in the Pacific, including Team Up and PacificAus Sports, and build Australia’s standing in this region.
Through these programs, we are focusing on shared values and providing pathways for aspiring high-performance athletes, coaches, administrators and community based sporting programs to achieve success.
Through PacificAus Sports, the Australian Government is supporting maximum participation and success for the Pacific at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In Papua New Guinea, Australia is supporting a PNG team to enter the National Rugby League (NRL) competition by 2028 and establishing a pathway for a PNG women’s NRL team through a premier Australian competition.
The inclusion of a PNG team in Australian competitions is an important symbol of our contemporary partnership with PNG. It will also deliver significant economic benefits to both countries through investment in new infrastructure in PNG and by boosting PNG’s and Australia’s sports and tourism sectors. This agreement is specific to PNG, our geographically closest neighbour, with which we share a relationship underpinned by strategic trust, including as expressed in our Bilateral Security Agreement.
Quote attributable to Minister for the Pacific and International Development, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:
“Australia is proud to be part of the Pacific family and sport is a powerful way to strengthen ties between the people throughout the region. The more we understand and relate to each other, the safer, stable and prosperous our region will be.
“This strategy is critical to advancing Australia’s national interest in contributing to a safe, stable and prosperous region.”
