Sport lovers in Western Australia are some of the biggest AFL fans in the country, while the nation's cycling aficionados have been rated as the most passionate of fanatics, a report has concluded.
Sport lovers in Western Australia are some of the biggest AFL fans in the country, while the nation's cycling aficionados have been rated as the most passionate of fanatics, a report has concluded.
A Sensis Consumer Report released today found that more than a fifth of all Australians chose AFL as their favourite sport, but 69 per cent of cycling fans said the historic contest on two-wheels was very important to their lives.
Interestingly, less than 39 per cent of AFL fans responded the same way.
Swimming, one of the nation's most successful sports in terms of Olympic and World Championship medal hauls, also has a very passionate supporter base with 61 per cent of swimming devotees suggesting the activity is very important in their lives.
The report suggested that Western Australians were some of the country's most devoted AFL supporters, with a third of respondents naming it as their favourite sport.
The report was based on interviews with 1,500 Australians between August and September.
Following AFL ,which recived 21 per cent of the vote, respondents picked NRL (12 per cent), cricket (11 per cent), soccer (11 per cent) and tennis (9 per cent) as their favourite sports.
Overall, 77 per cent of respondents nationally said they were interested in sport.
In WA, 76 per cent said they were interested in sport generally.
Favourite sports for WA's sporting enthusiasts after football (33 per cent) included cricket (12 per cent), soccer (10 per cent) and tennis (6 per cent).
WA also recorded the highest number of respondents naming basketball as their favourite sport, with 4 per cent.
Full announcement below:
Football has the masses, but maybe not the hearts and minds
Australia's dominant football codes might have the critical mass of supporters, but other sports have the most passionate and dedicated followers, according to the Sensis® Consumer Report released today.
The report, which interviewed 1,500 Australians nationwide from 18 August to 21 September, provides a quarterly analysis of the issues affecting the nation (please see separate release about consumer confidence).
Report author Ms Christena Singh said the findings reconfirmed Australians' love affair with sport.
"Sport appears to be the great leveller in Australia, with interest and participation spanning all socio-economic and age groups."
Overall, the report shows eight in 10 Australians are interested in sport, with a wide range of sports being followed.
"It is probably not surprising AFL, NRL and cricket are the most popular sports amongst Australians, holding the critical mass of supporters.
"However, what may be surprising to some is cycling, soccer, swimming, horse racing, basketball and netball are the sports which have the most passionate and committed followers," Ms Singh explained.
Overall, 69 per cent of cycling enthusiasts said the sport played a very important part in their lives, making them by far the most passionate followers.
"And when it comes to attendance, when we see interest translating into action, it is basketball that has the most committed supporters."
Approximately 30 per cent of Australians currently play their favourite sport, while 37 per cent used to play and 33 per cent have never played.
Australians' favourite sports:
- AFL (21 per cent)
- NRL (12 per cent)
- Cricket (11 per cent)
- Soccer (11 per cent)
- Tennis (nine per cent)
- Swimming (four per cent)
- Netball (four per cent).
Australians' most passionate supporters
(Percentage of people who said their favourite
sport was a very important part of their lives):
- Cycling (69 per cent)
- Swimming (61 per cent)
- Horse racing (55 per cent)
- Soccer (39 per cent).
Number of times per year
supporters attend their favourite sport:
- Basketball (13 times per year)
- Cycling (10 times per year)
- Swimming (10 times per year)
- Netball (10 times per year)
- Soccer (nine times per year).
WA:
Interested in sport: 76 per cent (Australia 77 per cent)
Favourite sport:
AFL 33 per cent
Cricket 12 per cent
Soccer 10 per cent
Tennis 6 per cent
Basketball 4 per cent
Importance of sport in life:
Very important 28 per cent
Somewhat important 58 per cent
Not at all important 14 per cent
Average times attend favourite sport per year - 5.66
Favourite teams:
West Coast Eagles 28 per cent
Fremantle Dockers 17 per cent
Australian Cricket Team 4 per cent
