INTRODUCTION
Social capital is often defined as being a resource available to individuals and communities founded on networks of mutual support, reciprocity and trust. The associational nature of sport and sporting clubs is sometimes seen as a forum for the creation of social capital by providing opportunities and settings for social interaction, sharing, common interests and enhancing a sense of community. This is expressed in the mission statements of a number of state sport and recreation agencies - "Building stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities" (Western Australian Department of Sport and Recreation 2009), "A vision of community that uses sport and recreation to improve its well being" and "Sport and recreation plays a vital role in binding our communities together" (New South Wales Sport and Recreation 2009).
This chapter includes summary information on a number of indicators of social capital together with their association with participation in sport. This information is sourced from the 2006 ABS General Social Survey. More detail on this topic can be found in the publication Sport and Social Capital, Australia, 2006 (cat. no. 4917.0).
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