WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STATE DATA AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
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).
ENDS
For further information or for interviews, please contact:
De-Arne Carr on 03 9397 5677 or 0419 585 711
The Sensis® Consumer Report is available now by contacting the above.
NEWS 
