MEDIA RELEASE
22 February 2011	Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	23/2011

The participation rate in sports and physical recreation for South Australian males aged 18-24 years was significantly lower than those aged 15-17 years, as reported in data released by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.

In 2009-10, two thirds of males aged 18-24 years participated in sports and physical recreation while the participation rate for males aged 15-17 years was 9 out of 10. This was in contrast to South Australian females where the participation rate was similar for 15-17 year olds (65%) and 18-24 year olds (69%).

The 91% participation rate for 15-17 year old South Australian males was significantly higher than female 15-17 year olds (65%).

A similar trend was evident in the national data. In 2009-10, males aged 15-17 years had a significantly higher participation rate (86%) in sports and physical recreation than those aged 18-24 years (69%). For females aged 15-17 and 18-24 years the participation rates were similar at 71% and 70% respectively.

The national participation rate in sports and physical recreation for persons aged 15-24 years was 72% in 2009-10. This was similar to 2005-06 when the participation rate was 73%. In South Australia, the participation rate for persons aged 15-24 years was 70% in 2009-10, which was also similar to 2005-06 when it was 74%.

The full article on Young People, Sports and Physical Recreation in South Australia can be found in the February edition of SA Stats (cat. no. 1345.4).

Further information is available in Participation in Sports and Physical Recreation, Australia 2009-10 (cat. no. 4177.0).

Media note: When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.