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Insights into ATHLETE FINANCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Running on Empty

Australia’s elite athletes are running on empty and reconsidering their sporting futures.

An overwhelming number of Australia’s elite athletes are under significant financial pressure, which is having flow on impacts on athletes’ mental health, their families’ financial security and their ability to stay in the sport they have dedicated so much of their lives to.

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This research shows there is a lot of support needed to meet financial and mental health gaps and address other challenges reported by our athletes. There are also significant cracks in the green and gold runway from the perspectives of athletes who are aiming to represent Australia in the future.

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Almost half of elite athletes (46%) over the age of 18 are earning incomes from all sources of less than $23,000 per annum.
Sadly, two in five (42%) elite athletes aged 18-34 are suffering poor mental health as a result of their financial predicament.

Australian Elite Athlete Research Findings - August 2023

The Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) conducted this research between 16th February and 22nd March 2023. The study represents the views of 2,304* Australian athletes from more than 60 sports — from mass participation codes to small and emerging sports.

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01. Elite athletes are in financial distress

02. Mental health is declining and greater support is in high demand

03. Australia risks an exodus of elite athletes

04. The green and gold runway needs investment in athletes

FOUR KEY THEMES IDENTIFIED BY ATHLETES

KEY FINDINGS AT A GLANCE

Quotes From the Report

(Elite Athlete, Hockey)

Funding is my constant concern. Being a female, and in an Olympic sport which does not have high commercial support, it can be very soul destroying knowing myself and my teammates are the best in our country for our gender in a well-known Olympic sport, and yet we earn a pittance.

(Elite Athlete, Basketball)

I’m 25 and don’t have a career as I’ve been doing competitive sport since leaving school. I cannot live off my parents forever so I feel guilty that I don’t have an income to help out with costs.

(Elite Athlete, Tennis)

To put it simply, the costs of competing internationally as a tennis player far outweigh the ability to earn prize money. So this is a major concern for me and is a constant struggle to find further ways to fund my career.

(Elite Athlete, Canoeing/Kayaking)

I simply cannot make it work financially.