What are you looking for?

Cancel search

News / Media

← Back to all News

Continued participation in sport can result in higher numeracy and literacy scores.

April 6, 2024

The facts are in! Continued participation in sport can result in higher numeracy and literacy scores.

 

A recent study of Australian children by the University of Sydney focused on ‘Sport Participation for Academic Success.’

The primary aim of this study was to identify long-term patterns of sport participation from childhood into adolescence and to examine the association between these patterns and academic outcomes. The results are remarkable!

Continued participation in sport resulted in:

  • Lower odds of being absent from school
  • Better performance on attention and working memory
  • Higher numeracy and literacy scores
  • Higher end of school academic performance
  • Higher odds of studying at university

 

The good news is, the Duke of Ed Framework recognises the impact sport can have on wellbeing and the role it plays in developing critical life skills for young people.

We know from research conducted by the Australian Sports Commission; a significant number of young people cease participating in organised sport from the age of 13 years. This is where the Duke of Ed Framework comes into play.

“From the age of 14 years, young Australians that use our Framework will participate in physical recreation. This can help improve their physical and mental wellbeing, foster teamwork, build resilience and develop leadership skills.

“Additionally, our Duke 4Sport Partner program is growing from strength to strength. It’s not only encouraging young people to continue with or to try a new sport. It’s also been successful for our partner organisations in player acquisition and retention, as well as attracting volunteers to help with their club”, says Peter Kaye, CEO – Duke of Ed.

 

Learn more about the Duke of Ed Framework HERE

Interested in becoming a Duke 4Sport Partner? Learn how HERE

May 12, 2026
NSW SES partners with the Duke of Ed to support young Australians

Developing human skills, confidence and community impact through emergency service volunteering  Improving the lives and skills of young Australians to make a positive difference in their communities is the focus of a new partnership between the Duke of Ed and NSW State Emergency Service (SES).  The newly announced partnership enables the NSW SES to encourage students completing their Duke of Ed […]

May 5, 2026
Duke of Ed students rescue hiker

Students use makeshift stretcher to rescue hiker in Warrumbungle National Park  A group of students from Presbyterian Ladies’ College Armidale have demonstrated the power of human skills in action, assisting an injured hiker in Warrumbungle National Park.  As reported by ABC News Australia, the students were undertaking a multi-day hike when they came across a man who had sustained a serious leg injury […]

March 26, 2026
Disadvantaged Youth Program delivers on education priorities

Latest report shows program directly aligns with outcomes set out in the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement (2025-2034) Over the past ten years, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia’s Disadvantaged Youth Program has supported over 12,500 young people with access to the Duke of Ed Framework through targeted Australian Government funding. An independent […]

crossmenu