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CHANGES IN CHILDREN'S PARTICIPATION IN SPORT AND LEISURE - 2000 TO 2009



Since 2000, the survey of Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities has been conducted every three years. It collects information about children's participation in selected organised cultural activities and organised sports outside of school hours during the twelve months prior to interview. It also collects information about their participation in selected leisure activities (such as skateboarding, reading, watching television and DVDs and using the Internet) outside of school hours during the two most recent weeks prior to interview.

The most recent survey was conducted in 2009 making it possible to look at the results of all surveys over time from 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009.

Due for release 12 November 2010, the publication Children's Participation in Sport and Leisure Time Activities - 2000 to 2009 (cat. no. 4901.0.55.001) will look at changes in participation in organised sport and dancing and in other selected cultural and leisure activities since 2000. It will also look at the changing popularity of different sports and activities, the amount of time spent on different activities and also the characteristics of participants and non-participants.

Here's a sneak peak at some of the findings:

• Since 2000 children's participation in sport and/or dancing has increased from 64% in 2000 to 69% in 2009.
• The average time that children spent participating in organised sport and/or dancing increased by 24 minutes from 5 hours and 24 minutes in 2000 to 5 hours and 48 minutes in 2009.
• Swimming remains the most popular sport with participation increasing from 14% in 2000 to 19% of children in 2009.