FREQUENCY OF CONTACT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Playing sport and taking part in other forms of physical recreation is often a social activity in which energies are focused on a common goal. It can provide participants with an opportunity to make and/or maintain friendships, develop extended networks and keep in touch with family or friends. A slightly greater proportion of sport participants had daily or weekly contact with their family and friends (97%) compared with non-participants (95%). The sport participation rate was shown to be highest among those who had daily contact with their family and friends at 64%. The rate remained high for those who had weekly contact at 62% but dropped to 49% among those who had monthly contact and 41% for those who had quarterly contact.
6.5 Participation in sport and physical recreation, Frequency of contact with family or friends - 2006 |
|
| Participated | Did not participate | Total | Participation rate | Non-participation rate | Total |
| '000 | '000 | '000 | % | % | % |
|
Everyday | 4 680.1 | 2 597.4 | 7 277.5 | 64.3 | 35.7 | 100.0 |
At least once a week | 4 589.3 | 2 872.9 | 7 462.2 | 61.5 | 38.5 | 100.0 |
At least once a month | 211.6 | 222.9 | 434.6 | 48.7 | 51.3 | 100.0 |
At least once in three months | *31.3 | *45.7 | 77.0 | *40.6 | *59.4 | 100.0 |
No recent contact(a) | **9.5 | 46.3 | *55.7 | **17.1 | 83.0 | 100.0 |
Total | 9 521.8 | 5 785.2 | 15 307.1 | 62.2 | 37.8 | 100.0 |
|
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution |
** estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use |
(a) Includes the category 'no family and no friends'. |
Source: Sport and Social Capital, Australia, 2006 (cat. no. 4917.0). |