Inaugural meeting of the Sports Diplomacy Consultative Group

Assistant Foreign Minister, Tim Watts MP, today led discussions with a number of Australian sports organisations, for the inaugural Sports Diplomacy Consultative Group (SDCG) meeting in Melbourne.

The SDCG will provide a forum for collaboration on international sporting issues, and to harness opportunities for the Government and the sporting sector to work together on shared priorities, including the big opportunities and challenges we face internationally.

In keeping with the recently released National Sport Strategy 2024-2034, Sport Horizon, the group discussed how we can together leverage the ‘green and gold decade’ of major sporting events in Australia in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and beyond.

Through these exchanges, the SDCG will help to ensure that government is aware of sport’s international priorities, and Australia’s national sporting organisations and sporting peak bodies are tapped into government and better equipped to navigate increasingly complex international operating environments.

Today’s meeting served as a further strengthening of ongoing dialogue and collaboration between the Australian Government and Australia’s sport sector, to advance the national interest, and make a positive contribution towards the region and the world.

The SDCG will be complemented by an Annual Sports Diplomacy Roundtable, which will include a broader range of stakeholders from the sports sector.

Sports Diplomacy Consultative Group membership:

Athletics Australia
AusCycling
Australian Football League
Australian Olympic Committee
Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability
Baseball Australia
Basketball Australia
Brisbane 2032 Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority
Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Commonwealth Games Australia
Cricket Australia
Football Australia 
Golf Australia
Hockey Australia
National Rugby League
Netball Australia
Paralympics Australia
Rowing Australia
Rugby Australia
Swimming Australia
Surfing Australia
Tennis Australia

Quote attributable to Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP

“In the true spirit of sport and mateship, 22 rival sporting organisations met to discuss how we can work together for Australia.

“I thank all the representatives who attended, for their collaboration and participation, and look forward to working with them to showcase Australian sport in the years to come.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Sport, the Hon Anika Wells MP

“Sport is one of the most powerful ways to unite nations and cultures for better outcomes.

“On the runway to Brisbane 2032, this sport diplomacy group will help us make the most of the significant opportunities across the ‘green and gold decade’ of sport.”