Crime in the tropics: Is sport part of the solution, or part of the problem?

Sport is recognised as having an important positive social function with positive social returns on investment. However, the status of sport as a positive social force is under threat. While the use of banned performance and image enhancing drugs (doping) is currently the most visible threat to the integrity of sport, other concerns such as match-fixing, violence (on and off the field), sexual assault and multiple forms of discrimination, are also emerging as potential threats. The study will involve surveying the attitudes and opinions of a broadly representative sample of North Queensland athletes (n=600) and support personnel (coaches, doctors etc., n=100) about the positive and negative impact of sport on a range of social and health related issues. Questions will be structured to assess both awareness and perceptions at local (Tropical NQ), state (QLD) and national (Australian) levels