Sport Australia has released the results of its latest AusPlay annual survey, showing that more than 80 per cent of the 20,000 adults surveyed participated in sport or physical activity at least once a week in the past year.
Chief Executive of Sport Australia, Kate Palmer said the survey was an important way of tracking how Australians engage with physical activity.
“The latest AusPlay results show that almost 13 million Australians (62.9 per cent) aged 15 or over participate in sport or physical activity at least three times a week,” Ms Palmer said.
“Almost 60 per cent of Australian children are active at least once a week in organised activities outside school. We want to see that increase because we know the physical, mental and social benefits that being active provides.”
Ms Palmer said the Department of Health’s national sport plan, Sport 2030, included a long term goal for Australia to become the world’s most active and healthy nation.
“We have accomplished a lot so far, but there is far more to do if we are to continue to get Australia moving and achieve our vision,” she said.
“Sport Australia works hand in glove with sporting organisations and physical activity providers across the country to drive participation. No matter what state or territory you live in, there are endless options to be active.”
She said the ‘key’ was to find something you enjoy.
Ms Palmer sad the survey found Victoria had the highest proportion of tennis players, New South Wales topped swimming numbers, Northern Territory residents were fans of yoga, South Australia led the netball figures, followed by Western Australia in hockey, Tasmania in recreational walking, Queensland in rugby league and the ACT in football.
She said recreational walking continued to be the most popular activity across the nation with almost nine million Australian adults making it a part of their day.
The survey found that the ACT had the most active adults in 2018-19 with 87.8 per cent of residents aged 15 or over participating in sport or physical activity at least once a week, above the national rate of 82.3 per cent.
It found that more than two-thirds (69.1 per cent) of ACT adults participated at least three times a week.
