Student sport for all students

On 1 July 2025 HESSA presented a parliamentary petition to MP Tom Rutherford asking the House of Representatives to ensure secondary-age student sport is inclusive of all students.

Twelve MPs from National, Labour and the Green Party attended to support the petition, including the Minister for Youth, Hon. James Meager. Many other MPs shared their support for inclusive sport but were unable to attend in person.

What the petition asked for

The petition asked the House of Representatives to ensure that secondary-age student sport is inclusive of all students — including home educated domestic students who are excluded from competitions because of how they are legally educated.

Why it matters

From Year 9 onwards, most regions offer no club teams or competitions for secondary-age students. Sport shifts from clubs into schools, and control moves to school-led organisations that sanction most competitions as “school sport”, even when they happen outside school grounds and hours.

Sport happening outside of school should not be called “school sport”. A student’s legal education should not be used to deny them equal opportunities in sport that happens outside the school gate.

Keep up with HESSA

This page documents the petition presented on 1 July 2025. There is no petition form on this page. To follow HESSA’s advocacy, read our news or get in touch.