Personal profile
Research Biography
Dr Sarah Crossman is a Research Associate in Sport Participation in the Sport, Health, Activity, Performance and Exercise (SHAPE) Research Initiative at Flinders University. Her research interests are in the engagement and retention of people of all ages in organised sport using systems-based theoretical approaches. Her current research involves developing a scalable and sustainable model for implementing a walking football program in a regional area of South Australia, to enhance social connections and reduce loneliness among older men.
Sarah has both quantitative and qualitative research skills having designed and administered online surveys, interviews and focus groups with young people, adults, and key sporting club stakeholders to better understand how clubs support participation and mental health outcomes. She has analytical experience with SPSS and has performed detailed thematic and content analyses of qualitative data.
Research Interests
- Adult sport participation
- Youth sport and mental health
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Engaging and Retaining Adults in Organised Sport: The Development of the Adult Sport Participation Framework, Flinders University
31 Jan 2022 → 26 Sept 2026
Award Date: 26 Sept 2025
Postgraduate Certificate, Social and Digital Media Management, University of South Australia
Award Date: 14 Nov 2017
Bachelor (Honours), Environmental Management, Flinders University
Award Date: 31 Dec 1999
Bachelor, Environmental Management, Flinders University
Award Date: 31 Dec 1998
Keywords
- H Social Sciences (General)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A qualitative exploration of the role of sports experiences in the engagement and retention of Australian adults
Crossman, S., Drummond, M., Elliott, S. & Petersen, J., 2026, In: Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. 18, 1, p. 18-33 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)20 Downloads (Pure) -
Elements of success: a multiple case study of sport engagement programmes for Australian adults
Crossman, S. E., Drummond, M., Elliott, S. & Petersen, J. M., 4 Mar 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Annals of Leisure Research. 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Game on or game over? A cross-sectional study of factors impacting sport-active and sport-inactive Australian adults
Crossman, S., Drummond, M., Elliott, S. & Petersen, J. M., 2026, In: Journal of Leisure Research. 57, 2, p. 130-149 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus) -
A qualitative study of sporting club stakeholder perspectives of a Mental Fitness Charter for South Australian sport
Petersen, J., Crossman, S., Drummond, M., Elliott, S., Prichard, I., Drummond, C. & Rasheed, K., 2025, In: Australian Psychologist. 60, 3, p. 269-279 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile59 Downloads (Pure) -
Closing the Gender Play Gap: A Qualitative Exploration of Female Adolescent Sport Participation, Dropout, and Reengagement
Kay, J., Klass, V., Crossman, S., Petersen, J. M., Drummond, M. & Elliott, S., Jan 2025, In: Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal. 33, 1, 10 p., wspaj.2024-0145.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus)
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"Kickoff" Men's Health: Connecting Older Rural Men to improve Health and Wellbeing through Walking Football
Drummond, C. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)), Drummond, M. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)), Windsor, T. (Chief Investigator), Elliott, S. (Chief Investigator), Petersen, J. (Chief Investigator), Hicks, D. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)) & Crossman, S. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead))
2/06/25 → 1/06/27
Project: Research
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Economic Impact Analysis Tool (EIAT) update and redevelopment
Cebulla, A. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)), Gamble, H. (Associate Investigator) & Crossman, S. (Associate Investigator)
1/06/22 → 1/06/23
Project: Research
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Quantifying Regional Innovation
Cebulla, A. (Chief Investigator), Crossman, S. (Chief Investigator), Gamble, H. (Chief Investigator (Project Lead)) & Spoehr, J. (Chief Investigator)
1/06/21 → 1/07/22
Project: Research
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Tarnanthi Data Collection and Research Project
Hordacre, A.-L. (Chief Investigator), Burgan, B. (Associate Investigator), Crossman, S. (Associate Investigator), Howard, S. (Associate Investigator), Moretti, C. (Associate Investigator) & Spoehr, J. (Associate Investigator)
Government of South Australia, Department of Premier and Cabinet , Arts South Australia
22/10/18 → 21/10/19
Project: Research
Activities
- 1 Other
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SA Data Strategy - AITI Response to the Discussion Paper
Cebulla, A. (Participant), Crossman, S. (Participant), Gamble, H. (Participant) & Hordacre, A.-L. (Participant)
21 Mar 2021Activity: Other activity types › Other
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