2024 Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards closing in 2 weeks!

The National Sports & Physical Activity Convention in partnership with IAKS in 2024 is again host of the Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Awards. The purpose of these awards is to recognise individuals, government, not-for-profits, the commercial sector, play sector, recreation and sports of their innovations to get more people active in the community. Closing next week, this is a great chance to celebrate the great achievements and innovations our industry has produced in the last 12 months.

Founder and Event Curator, Martin Sheppard said “We are excited to announce these awards are open for 2024. An embodiment of our theme of Inspire Innovation – Drive Participation, I look forward to hearing about the latest innovations within the industry.”

The 2024 Australian Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Categories for Awards Nominations are:

1. PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Innovative programs, activities and events that have been developed to encourage the community to be more active and increase participation.

2. INCLUSION PROGRAM / INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

Recognises outstanding efforts by individuals or organisations in delivering programs/initiatives that champion inclusion and active participation across diverse communities. This could include initiatives that have advocated for gender equality, involved LGBTQIA+ communities, supported people with disabilities, empowered indigenous populations, reached out to culturally diverse and multicultural communities and encouraged participation among other underrepresented communities.

3. MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

The communication messages that innovatively activates the community for more people to be active, play, recreate and participate in community sport.

4. YOUNG INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

A young person (under 25) who has developed a program, space, activity, technological solution or innovative partnership that is encouraging more people to be active.

5. TECHNOLOGY

Innovations in technology that support Business to Business (B2B) improvements for the industry or Business to Consumer (B2C) experiences.

6. PLACES AND SPACES DESIGN in partnership with Theca Rubner

Innovative design, solutions and management that creates an environment where more people are active (indoor and outdoor environments, with natural, synthetic and built forms), whilst embracing the principles of sustainability.

7. SPORT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Innovations that organisations have embraced to recognise the impact that sport can have on climate change and how they have focused on reducing their carbon footprint.

8. PLAYGROUND DESIGN

Designs and developments that allow and encourage more children to play, have fun and be active.

9. REGIONAL AUSTRALIA AWARD in partnership with CODE Sports

Recognising the achievement in regional Australia to grow participation in sport, recreation, play or getting their regional community more active. 

THE OVERALL SPORT, RECREATION AND PLAY INDUSTRY AWARD FOR INNOVATION

This award will provide the prize for the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention Overall Sport, Recreation and Play Innovation Award. The winner will be chosen from one of the above 9 category winners.

Applications are now open and close in two weeks on 22nd May at 5pm AEST. Awards are open to all Australian registered businesses and organisations. Award applications will only be considered for projects created from January 2023 – February 2024.