Young gymnasts across NSW are being forced to abandon the sport they love as rising costs drive them
away from gymnastics at an alarming rate. With participation numbers plummeting primarily amongst lower
socioeconomic families, Olympic gymnast Emma Nedov is speaking out, joining forces with the Y NSW
(YMCA) to fight for more inclusive, accessible pathways to keep young athletes engaged.
Emma started gymnastics at aged 6 at the Y Epping. What started out as an activity to build confidence,
burn energy and gross motor skills, turned into a launch pad for a career as an athlete and becoming an
Olympic gymnast at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"For so many young kids, gymnastics is more than a sport, it's a source of confidence, resilience and
belonging. But right now, too many are being forced to discontinue gymnastics and many other sports due
to rising costs," said Nedov, a former Australian national team member and World Cup gold medalist.
"I've seen firsthand how financial strain can push young athletes away, and it's heartbreaking. We need to
do more to keep them in sport," she added.
In New South Wales (NSW), gymnastics stands as the fourth most popular sport among children. Notably,
13.9% of female athletes under 14 participate in gymnastics, placing it third in popularity among sports for
young girls. However, despite its popularity and that of other sports, more than 1 in 2 families are having
to make sacrifices in their household budget to pay for their children's sports or physical activities, or face
having to stop those activities altogether+.
"The statistics are stark, by the age of 14, nearly 50% of girls have quit sport and 46% of Australian parents
shared that the financial commitment was a barrier to their child's participation in out-of-school sport," said
George Perry, Chief Operating Officer of the Y NSW.
"If kids withdraw from sport when they are young, they are less likely to re-engage in sport or physical
activity later in life, which can affect their health and wellbeing as adults.
"Here at the Y NSW we have been implementing changes to make gymnastics more accessible and
inclusive for our young athletes through a new grants program," added Mr Perry.
Emma Nedov was a special guest at the Y NSW's Voices for Change event held last week that aimed to
raise funds for critical youth programs including those that help keep young athletes in gymnastics.
Hosted by ABC presenter Jacinta Parsons, the event showcased powerful firsthand stories from young
people impacted by the Y NSW's initiatives, followed by a live pledging session to drive real change.
The Y Gymnastics Fund helps ensure that no child is held back from pursuing their passion due to financial
hardship.
"This isn't just about gymnastics, it's about giving young people the chance to stay active, build resilience,
and feel like they belong," said Emma.
"Whether it's their first forward roll or training for competition, every child deserves the chance to
experience the joy, confidence, and lifelong benefits that gymnastics brings. Together, we can make sure
every aspiring gymnast has the opportunity to thrive, because talent should never be limited by
circumstance," she concluded.
