4156.0 - Sport and Recreation: A Statistical Overview, Australia , 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 29/03/2006   
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Contents >> Chapter 3.1 Participation - Introduction >> Chapter 3.4 Participation - Trends in Sports and Physical Recreation Participation



PARTICIPATION




TRENDS IN SPORTS AND PHYSICAL RECREATION PARTICIPATION

A series of participation surveys were undertaken between 1996-97 and 1999-2000 as part of the Population Survey Monitor (PSM). Data from these surveys can be compared across time in two ways: Total organised sport participation rates can be compared between 1996-97 and 1999-2000; and total participation rates (which combine organised and non-organised participation in sports and physical recreation) can be compared between 1998-99 and 1999-2000.


Table 3.7 presents data about participation by persons aged 18 years and over as players in organised sport and physical activities from 1996-97 to 1999-2000. During this period, the female organised sport participation rate was lowest in 1996-97 (23.3%) and highest in 1998-99 (26.4%). The male organised sport participation rate increased significantly between 1996-97 and 1998-99, rising from 29.7% to 34.2%.


The gap between organised sport participation rates for males and females increased significantly between 1996-97 and 1999-2000. In 1996-97 the male organised participation rate was 6.4 percentage points higher than that for females, while in 1999-2000 it was 8.7 percentage points higher.

3.7 PARTICIPANTS IN ORGANISED SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION(a) - 1996-97 to 1999-2000

Number
Participation rate
'000
%

MALES

1996-97
1 917.3
29.7
1997-98
2 063.3
31.4
1998-99
2 285.2
34.2
1999-00
2 267.0
33.3

FEMALES

1996-97
1 559.6
23.3
1997-98
1 717.5
25.3
1998-99
1 820.8
26.4
1999-00
1 719.6
24.6

PERSONS

1996-97
3 476.8
26.5
1997-98
3 780.8
28.3
1998-99
4 106.1
30.3
1999-00
3 986.6
28.9

(a) Relates to persons aged 18 years and over who participated in organised sport or physical activity as players during the 12 months prior to interview in the year shown.
Source: Participation in Sport and Physical Activities, Australia, 1999-2000 (cat. no. 4177.0).


Table 3.8 compares data about participation in sports and physical recreation between 1998-99 and 1999-2000. The number of persons aged 18 years and over participating decreased between 1998-99 and 1999-2000, falling from 8.1 million (59.4%) to 7.5 million (54.7%). In both years, the participation rate for males was higher than that for females.

3.8 PARTICIPANTS IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION(a) - 1998-99 and 1999-2000

Number
Participation rate
'000
%

MALES

1998-99
4 183.5
62.6
1999-00
3 979.0
58.5

FEMALES

1998-99
3 878.8
56.3
1999-00
3 562.7
50.9

PERSONS

1998-99
8 062.3
59.4
1999-00
7 541.7
54.7

(a) Relates to persons aged 18 years and over who participated in sport or physical activity as players during the 12 months prior to interview in the year shown.
Source: Participation in Sport and Physical Activities, Australia, 1999-2000 (cat. no. 4177.0).



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