Sarah Crossman
Research Associate in Sport Participation
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
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.
Doctor of Philosophy - Flinders University
Bachelor of Environmental Management (Honours 1A) - Flinders University
Professional Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management - University of South Australia
Certificate III in Fitness
GRANTS
- 2025, Drummond, M., Windsor, T., Elliott, S., Petersen, J.M., Crossman, S., Drummond, C., & Hicks, D. Government of South Australia, Office for Ageing Well, Impact Research Grants for Ageing Well 2024-25, Major Project Grant: “Kickoff” Men's Health: Connecting Older Rural Men to Improve Health and Wellbeing through Walking Football ($100,000)
AWARDS
- Parks & Leisure Australia (SA/NT) Emerging Leader Scholarship (2025)
- Flinders University Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) Best Higher Degree by Research Student Publication Award, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work (2024)
- Best Higher Degree by Research Abstract at Australian and New Zealand Annals of Leisure Studies (ANZALS) Conference (2023)
- Australian and New Zealand Annals of Leisure Studies (ANZALS) Student Research Scholarship (2023)
- Flinders University Research Scholarship (2022-2025)
- Young Spatial Professional of the Year (Asia-Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards 2007)
- Young Spatial Professional of the Year (South Australian Spatial Excellence Awards 2007)
- Conduct quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews and focus groups, and data analysis to support academic research and journal publications.
- Engage with State Sporting Organisations, sporting clubs, peak bodies, policy makers, academics, young people, coaches and club administrators.
Adult sport participation
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
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