Canberra is leading the nation in terms of participation in sport according to a report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, with 79.5 per cent of Canberrans over the age of 15 participating in physical activity for recreation, exercise or sport, while children in the region are participating in organised sport more than other Australian children.
Canberra leads the nation... in sport participation
Released 07/10/2008
253/08
Canberra leads the nation… in sport participation
Canberra is leading the nation in terms of participation in sport according to a report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation Andrew Barr said the report; Sport and Physical Recreation: A Statistical Overview found that 79.5 per cent of Canberrans over the age of 15 participate in physical activity for recreation, exercise or sport.
“This is the highest participation rate of any State or Territory in Australia and compares to a national average of 65.9 per cent,” Mr Barr said.
“The report also finds Canberra’s children are participating in organised sport more than other Australian children, with 75.4 per cent of ACT boys and 66.1 per cent of ACT girls aged between five and 14 taking part. This compares to a national average of 68.9 per cent and 57.8 per cent respectively.
“Getting Canberra kids into sport and physical activity has been a focus for the ACT Labor Government because research shows that kids who get into sport early are more likely to lead active and healthy lives as adults.
“That’s why this year we invested $250,000 in the Children’s Physical Activity Foundation which works to promote physical activity to children and to assist schools in the delivery of physical activity programs with financial support and the professional development of teachers,” Mr Barr said. “And this year’s inaugural Minister’s Physical Activity Challenge saw around 13,000 primary school students from across the ACT do an hour of extra physical activity each week day for 10 weeks.”
The report also found that 60.1 per cent of Canberra males aged over 15 attended a sporting event during the 12 months prior to the survey (2005-06), which is the highest of any State or Territory.
“Australia has a reputation as a nation of sports lovers,” Mr Barr said. “This report shows Canberra truly leads the nation in our love of and participation in sport.”
Statement Ends.
Media Contact: Paul Kindermann 6205 1690 0403 600 955 paul.kindermann@act.gov.au
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