SportWest is warning that escalating fuel prices are having a significant and growing impact on the delivery of community sport across Western Australia, with regional access, participation and workforce sustainability increasingly at risk.
With the Winter Sport seasons just about to kick off, new data collected from SportWest member organisations reveals that fuel costs are now directly affecting how, where and whether sport can be delivered, particularly in regional and remote communities. From grassroots clubs to state sporting associations, organisations report rising operating costs, reduced travel, scaled-back programs and growing pressure on staff, volunteers and participants.
Sport is Built on Connection and Belonging – and Fuel Is the Link
More than two-thirds of responding organisations identified travel to clubs, competitions, programs and regional communities as the areas most impacted by fuel price increases. Many reported moderate to significant cost increases, forcing difficult operational decisions, including:
- Reducing face-to-face engagement and regional outreach
- Scaling back programs, events and competitions
- Passing costs on to clubs, participants or families
- Absorbing costs within already stretched budgets – which is unsustainable
- Increasing reliance on online delivery where possible
For regional Western Australia, where sport depends on people travelling long distances to participate, compete or deliver programs, the consequences are particularly severe.
“Fuel costs don’t just affect transport expenses — they affect who can show up, how far we can reach, and how sustainably we can deliver,” one statewide disability sport organisation reported. “Reduced attendance, volunteer availability and affordability pressures are already emerging.”
Impact on People: Staff, Volunteers and Families Under Pressure
The data highlights a growing human cost. Organisations reported increased financial pressure on staff, increased challenges to travel for work, challenges recruiting and retaining skilled people, and declining volunteer availability.
Families are also feeling the strain. Several organisations noted athletes withdrawing from competitions, families limiting travel, and clubs seeing reduced participation as fuel costs make involvement unaffordable. With cost-of-living pressures already impacting families, the added fuel costs are now impacting decisions on participation.
“Parents are already having to choose which events their children can attend,” one regional sporting organisation said. “Travel is consistently the number one barrier — and fuel prices are making it worse.”
Services at Risk: Reduced Reach, Reduced Opportunity
Nearly half of respondents indicated fuel prices are already impacting — or will soon impact — their ability to serve the community. For some, this has meant reduced regional reach, cancelled events, or the risk of losing national-level competitions hosted in WA due to travel costs for interstate and regional participants.
Motorsport, equestrian, football, disability sport and other travel-intensive sports reported heightened vulnerability, with some regional events cancelled due to fuel availability and affordability concerns .
A Need For Targeted, Practical Support
When asked what would most help manage ongoing fuel price pressures, organisations overwhelmingly identified:
- Government relief tailored specifically to sport organisations
- Increased funding for sports for regional service delivery
- Greater flexibility in funding agreements
- Travel or fuel support for staff and volunteers
“Community sport is an essential service,” said SportWest Chief Executive Officer Troy Kirkham.
“It supports physical health, mental wellbeing, social connection and regional cohesion. If fuel costs continue to rise without targeted support, the communities that rely most on sport — particularly regional and remote communities — will be the first to miss out.”
“This isn’t just about fuel costs — it’s about access and equity. Rising transport costs are increasingly determining who can participate in sport, widening the gap between metro and regional communities and placing unsustainable pressure on volunteers, the workforce and families.”.
Protecting the Future of Community Sport
Mr Kirkham says SportWest is committed to advocating for solutions that protect people, strengthen capability and services, and demonstrate leadership in ensuring sport remains accessible to all Western Australians, regardless of postcode. We are committed to working alongside Government to find a solution that supports sports and families.
“Sport doesn’t happen without people travelling — coaches, volunteers, officials, families and participants. Being able to afford to travel is not a luxury; it’s fundamental to keeping community sport alive across our state.”
“COVID showed us just how vital community sport is in providing connection, belonging and a sense of community when people need it most. We must ensure we’ve learned from that experience by continuing to support and invest in community sport, so it remains accessible and strong for all Western Australians”.
“SportWest will continue to work with the Government to ensure that rising transport costs do not become a barrier to participation, particularly for regional communities who rely most on sport for connection, wellbeing and opportunity.”
Date: Tuesday 14 April 2026
More Information
Matt Bamford
Member & Partnerships Manager
E: mattbamford@sportwest.com.au
M: 0419 287 024
