55 Through Play.Sport.Australia., the ASC invests in NSOs through a Participation Investment Categorisation Framework and the provision of strategy and project support. Our objective is to achieve sustained participation growth across the sector and for Sporting Schools to be a core feature of Australian junior sport, helping to develop a love of sport in the next generation. In delivering these objectives, the ASC aims to work effectively with sport sector partners to develop and share industry knowledge and evidence to help address participation challenges. The Play pillar outlines the primary strategies that will deliver the PBS Program Objective B of more Australians, particularly young Australians, participating in sport more often. Our approach In 2016–17 the ASC has focused on the delivery of the Sporting Schools program, and preparations for expansion of the program to include students in years seven and eight of secondary school in 2017–18. The ASC invests in NSOs to achieve participation outcomes aligned to Play.Sport.Australia. This investment is determined by using Participation Investment Categorisation Framework which provides for a fixed funding amount per category. This framework provides a simpler, more consistent and transparent approach for sports to participation funding. Key activity areas include: > > providing targeted investment to NSOs to help them grow their participation base > > providing services and support that assist NSOs with participation strategies, planning and operations > > developing and disseminating high-quality information, research and data to better understand what is happening in sport > > driving demand for lifelong participation in sport by focusing on younger Australians through the Sporting Schools program. Our success is measured in the uptake of Sporting Schools and trends in sport participation data, including NSO membership growth of NSOs, and how effectively the ASC is assisting the sector through targeted investment and support.