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 3.8 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.
3.8 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 3.9 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.
3.9 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). |