ABSTRACT
Australia’s place in global culture is characterised by its self-proclaimed status as ‘one of the greatest sporting nations on earth’. In its pursuit of sport and physical activity, the country projects a nationalistic fervour built primarily upon elite success and, to a lesser extent, grassroots participation. These twin pursuits are fuelled by sustained support from three tiers of government (Commonwealth, State and Local), and underpinned by cultural expectations favouring an equitable access to sporting facilities. Multiple levels of government, through schools and more broadly through community advertising, have attempted to engender a culture in which physical activity should be prioritised. Notwithstanding a significant financial and social investment in sport and physical activity, Australia continues to face rising levels of metabolic disease and obesity due to a range of socio-ecological factors related to physical inactivity.
