It’s not about the bike: a holistic view of the lifelong benefits of sport

Globally, modern Australia is well-known as a ‘sporting nation’. Despite this reputation, much of Australia’s sporting culture is grounded in international elite level performance. In Australian society, high performance, winning, and competition are framed as the pinnacle of sport. This article seeks to disrupt these societal views towards sport through providing evidence from the Australian Masters Games and a regional Australian program for Ezidi migrants that used sport as a vehicle to build social inclusion. The outcomes of this research advocate for the holistic benefits of sport across the lifespan mentally, socially, and emotionally. We demonstrate how underrepresented populations such as older adults, and migrant groups can obtain these benefits without focusing on competition and high-performance skill development. Ultimately, when it comes to sports participation ‘it’s not about the bike’ and should increasingly be promoted as a recreational activity for all.