In this month’s newsletter, we would like to introduce PhD graduate, Sarah Crossman from College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
Sarah’s recently submitted thesis, “Engaging and Retaining Adults in Organised Sport: The Development of the Adult Sport Participation Framework” received outstanding results from the examiners.
We asked Sarah what she has been doing since completing, how did her supervisors support her and advice to new students.
What was your research about?
My PhD research examined the factors affecting the engagement and retention of working age adults in organised sport
What have you been doing since you completed?
I am now working part-time with a research team at Flinders University (FIMHWell) on a project developing a walking football (soccer) program for older men in Mount Gambier, funded by the South Australian Government Office for Ageing Well. The program aims to address social isolation and loneliness among men in the Limestone Coast, who experience disproportionately high rates of suicide and poor mental health. The program is being co-designed with local industry partners and walking football participants and will ‘kick-off’ in February 2026.
I am also involved in several research projects at the University of South Australia examining outdoor fitness equipment use and preferences among older adults and people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. These free outdoor gyms are a key part of council strategies to enhance physical activity within their communities so understanding factors affecting their use is critical for future investment decisions.
How did your supervisors support you during your candidature?
I was fortunate to have three exceptional supervisors: Professor Murray Drummond, Associate Professor Sam Elliott and Dr Jasmine Petersen. Each with extensive academic experience and unique areas of expertise, their different but cohesive approaches to supervision provided the perfect balance for me as a PhD candidate. They were incredibly supportive, constructive, encouraging and available when I needed them – and Sam even bought me cake when I submitted my PhD! I’m grateful to be able to continue working with them in my current research role at Flinders.
What advice would you give to those who are about to undertake a PhD?
My advice to anyone commencing a PhD is to embrace all the learning opportunities presented to you along the way. Doing a PhD is such a unique opportunity where you can immerse yourself in a topic that (hopefully!) you are passionate about. While it may be difficult at times, try to enjoy the process, stretch yourself, but reach out for help along the way if needed. There will be ups and downs but with a supportive team around you a PhD should be a positive and rewarding experience. Enjoy!
Have you published anything?
I have published three studies that directly relate to my PhD and have a fourth study under review.
Crossman, S., Drummond, M., Elliott, S., Kay, J., Montero, A., & Petersen, J. M. (2024). Facilitators and constraints to adult sports participation: A systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 72, 102609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102609
Crossman, S., Drummond, M., Elliott, S., & Petersen, J. M. (2024). Game on or game over? A cross-sectional study of factors impacting sport-active and sport-inactive Australian adults. Journal of Leisure Research, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2024.2436532
Crossman, S., Drummond, M., Elliott, S., & Petersen, J. M. (2025). A qualitative exploration of the role of sports experiences in the engagement and retention of Australian adults. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2025.2531364