05 Aug Why the half-time orange still deserves a place in junior sport.
The traditional half-time orange may be disappearing from Australian sporting fields, but dietitians say it remains a simple, affordable snack for active children.
For generations of Australian children, orange wedges have been part of weekend sport. But new research suggests the familiar half-time snack is increasingly being replaced by sports drinks, snack bars, lollies and other packaged foods.
A YouGov survey of 1,007 Australian parents found fewer than three in ten children regularly ate orange wedges during a half-time or scheduled break. Most parents surveyed — 93 per cent — believed the tradition was dying out.
A simple snack for active children
Advanced Sports Dietitian Ali Miles says children taking part in junior or community sport generally do not need complicated half-time nutrition.
“Water and familiar choices, such as orange wedges, are a great option and can support their nutrition both on and off the field,” she says.
Oranges contain carbohydrates, which help provide energy, as well as vitamin C. Their high water content can also contribute to hydration, although children should still have ready access to drinking water before, during and after sport.
Orange wedges are easy for children to eat, inexpensive and suitable for sharing when good food-handling practices are followed.
Why are oranges disappearing?
Convenience appears to be one of the main reasons parents are turning to packaged alternatives. In the survey, 43 per cent said snack bars, chips, lollies and sports drinks were easier to hand out.
Some families also remain cautious about shared food. One-third of parents linked the decline in half-time oranges to concerns that developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 38 per cent said families now preferred to bring their own snacks.
There was also a generational difference. Gen X parents were more likely than millennial parents to say their children regularly ate oranges at half-time. Millennial parents were more likely to report children having sports drinks, flavoured milk drinks or sports gels.
For most children playing ordinary weekend sport, however, specialist sports products are unlikely to be necessary. Water and a familiar whole-food snack are often enough, particularly during shorter games and training sessions.
Bringing back an old favourite
Australian orange growers are now encouraging sporting clubs and schools to revive the tradition by offering up to $10,000 towards half-time oranges during the 2026 winter sports season.
Grower Michael Arnold, who regularly prepares oranges for his daughter’s netball team, suggests cutting each orange into eighths so the pieces are manageable for younger children.
He recommends trimming the ends to steady the fruit, cutting it into quarters, removing the firm central core and then halving each quarter.
Families and clubs should wash fruit before cutting it, use clean utensils and containers, and avoid sharing food with children who have allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Schools and sporting clubs can find details about the promotion here:orange giveaway
