Our pool princesses generally need little introduction. However, this year’s Paris Olympic Games saw the emergence of a new generation of superstars. From slalom to sailing, there has been no shortage of inspiring stories that have captured our imagination. And, leading the charge is 14-year-old Arisa Trew. Who became Australia’s youngest-ever Olympic medallist when she took home the nation’s 14th gold medal highlighted by a 540 – a trick with one and a half rotations in midair – in the skateboarding final.
With Trew’s remarkable victory making headlines worldwide, it’s no surprise that skateboarding has surged into the spotlight. In fact, Decathlon has reported a staggering 54% increase in searches for skateboarding products over the past week alone. This rise in interest underscores how new heroes can ignite a passion for sports that might have otherwise remained unactioned.
Trew’s triumph is not just a personal achievement but a reflection of a broader trend. Her Olympic debut has inspired many Australians to lace up their skate shoes and hit the ramps. Skateboarding, a sport traditionally underrepresented among Aussie primary school children, is suddenly attracting a flood of new enthusiasts. Eager to emulate the wild feats of this very young woman on wheels.
In addition to the remarkable spike in skateboarding interest, Decathlon’s overall web traffic has seen a 35% increase. Highlighting the growing public engagement with Olympic sports in general. This enthusiasm extends beyond skateboarding. For example, sailing has also captured the public’s imagination, with a 30% rise in searches for sailing products. The performances of two-time world champion and Olympic titleholder Matt Wearn have largely fuelled this interest. And, although poor weather conditions postponed his race, Wearn’s quest for glory certainly ignited a wave of enthusiasm for sailing.
Interestingly, however, new research commissioned by Decathlon reveals that Aussie primary-aged kids engage in less than 5% of the 40 medal-winning sports regularly. Despite Australia’s reputation for sporting prowess and the fact that one in three primary-aged children dream of becoming elite athletes, nearly 20% of these kids are inactive across the sports they see on TV. This disconnect has prompted Decathlon to launch the Playgrounds to Podiums initiative. And, offer schools the chance to apply for a share of $100,000 in sports equipment to help address this gap.
Romain Gravigny, CEO at Decathlon Australia, highlights the significance of this initiative. “We believe in the transformative power of sports. And, want to make it as accessible as possible for our young kids to try lots of different sports. We hope our Playgrounds to Podiums initiative gives more children access to the wonder of sports. Our aim is to promote both the physical and mental benefits of sport. And, also ignite aspirations in kids, taking them from playgrounds to podiums in the years and competitions to come.”
According to the research, the main barriers to greater sports participation among children are cost and accessibility. Almost half of parents (48.2%) cited expense as a major issue. While one in five (20.1%) mentioned lack of access to the necessary equipment. Despite these challenges, a significant majority (85.3%) of parents indicated that their children would be interested in trying new sports if they were more accessible.
The Playgrounds to Podiums initiative aims to bridge this gap by providing primary schools across Australia with Gold, Silver, and Bronze packages of sports equipment. The Gold package includes $20,000 worth of equipment for one national winner, while eight schools will each receive a Silver package worth $10,000. Additionally, Decathlon will award all participating schools a Bronze package that offers a 10% discount on all sports equipment until the end of the year.
Given that traditional sports like aquatics (37.2%), soccer (30.4%), basketball (15.5%), and athletics (15%) dominate the regular sporting activities of children aged five to twelve, this initiative is timely. In contrast, board sports such as surfing and skateboarding are much less common. With only 2.4% and 3% participation rates, respectively. The same pattern is reflected in the sports kids are most likely to watch at major events. With aquatics (43.5%), soccer (31.1%), and athletics (29.5%) leading the way.
Sports psychologist Alan Hely from Sydney City Psychology believes that we are only beginning to uncover Australia’s full sporting potential. “There’s so much opportunity for Australia to be on more podiums if our young kids are trying and regularly playing a more diverse set of sports. With the average age of elite athletes being 26, there’s a huge potential for future games and beyond if we start working with primary-aged children now. Early exposure to a variety of sports not only enhances physical and psychological development but also improves coordination, cognitive skills, and academic achievements.”
As the Olympics wrap up, it will be interesting to see which other sports might experience similar spikes in popularity. However, for now, skateboarding remains firmly in the spotlight. With Trew’s groundbreaking performance serving as a beacon for aspiring athletes everywhere. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or simply a curious beginner, there’s never been a better time to explore the wide world of sports.
To take advantage of Decathlon’s Playgrounds to Podiums initiative and apply for a share of the grant visit www.playgroundstopodiums.com.au.
