SPARC Trends in Participation in Sport and Active Leisure 1997 - 2001

Overall trends

Young people’s participation in sport and active leisure

Note: Not all differences shown in the figure are significant, as some sample sizes are relatively small. See text for commentary.

• For young people, there has been a significant decline in the level of participation in sport and active leisure overall from 93.0% in 1997 to 88.5% in 2001.
• This has occurred among both boys and girls, whose participation rates have declined from 94.7% to 89.9% and 91.2% to 87.0% over this period respectively.
• The declines are due largely to significant reductions in participation rates of 9-12 year olds (from 96.7% in 1999 to 92.7% in 2001), and 13-15 year olds (from 93.8% in 1997 to 88.2% in 2001). Not significant, but reasonably substantial, has been a decline among 16-17 year olds from 81.2% to 73.9% since 1997.
• This overall pattern of declining participation is reflected in all school settings for all young people, with significant decreases in participation since 1997 at school (from 75.7% to 67.2% in 2001), within school hours (from 72.6% to 65.3%) and outside school hours (24.4% to 17.4%).
• This pattern of declining participation in sport and active leisure activities at school, and both during school and outside school hours is similar for both boys and girls, and for 5-8 year olds and 16-17 year olds. 9-12 year olds are not as likely to have reduced their participation in school time, and 13-15 year olds have not experienced significant changes in participation at school or during school hours, although both these age groups have decreased participation outside school hours.
• Participation in club activities has not changed significantly either for all young people or by age or gender.
• Participation with friends and/or family has increased from 65.3% to 69.3% of young people overall between 1997 and 2001, particularly among 5-8 year olds where it has increased from 69.8% to 78.3%.

Adults’ participation in sport and active leisure

• Among all adults there has been little change overall in the proportions that have participated in sports and active leisure activities over the previous 12 months, or who have taken part in sporting activities only, since 1997.
• Significant changes among different groups of adults include there being an increase in participation in all sports and active leisure activities among 25-34 year olds (from 97.5% in 1997 to 98.9% in 2001), and those on available household incomes of $36,001-$60,000 (from 97.8% to 99.1%).
• There has been an increase in participation in sporting activities only among people with a tertiary education since 1999, from 89.0% to 91.6% in 2001 (although this rate had been 90.4% in 1997).

Ethnic groups

Trends among young people’s participation in sport and active leisure

Maori young people

• Maori young peoples’ participation in sport and active leisure overall has fallen significantly from 95% in 1997 to 84% in 2001, for both Maori girls (95% to 82%) and boys (95% to 86%).
• It has also fallen significantly across all age groups – for Maori young people aged 5-12 years old, 96% participated in at least one sport or active leisure activity between 1997 and 1999, falling to 86% in 2001. For young Maori aged 13-17 years the proportion fell from 92% in 1997 to 80% in 2001.
• Participation levels in sport and active leisure activities before and after school have also dropped significantly. In 1997, 27% were participating compared to 18% in 2001; this is particularly evident among Maori boys, where participation in these settings fell from 31% to 16% in 2001, and for young people aged 13-17 years (from 42% to 20%). The figures show little change for young Maori girls, hovering between 22% and 24%. Those Maori young people aged 5-12 years also showed a fall from 23% in 1997 to 18% in 2001, although this is not significant.
• Participation in sports and active leisure activities during school hours has been around 69% since 1999 (it was 74% in 1997), though both boys and girls showed a drop in their respective participation levels between 1997 and 1999.
• Close to seven-in-ten Maori young people participated in sports and active leisure activities with family and friends between 1997 and 1999, but by 2001 this had fallen to 61% (although this is not a significant change). Among these, the proportion of Maori boys has dropped from 72% in 1997 to 61% in 2001, with Maori girls also showing a drop from 66% to 61%.

European young people

• Since 1997, European young people’s participation in sport and active leisure overall has shown little change, hovering between 93% in 1997 and 91% in 2001.
• This is true for both girls (90% to 92%) and boys (93% to 95%) and among those aged 5-12 years old (95% participated in at least one sport or active leisure activity between 1997 and 2001). However, for Europeans aged 13-17 years the proportion who participated fell from around 90% in 1997 and 1999 (89%) to 85% in 2001, although this is not a significant change.
• Participation in sport and active leisure at school (during, before and after school hours) has fallen significantly. In 1997, 72% participated during school hours and by 1999 (and again in 2001) it was 66%, with similar declines observed among both girls and boys.
• Participation in sports and active leisure activities before and after school has also fallen significantly, from 24% in 1997 to 17% in 2001, again with similar declines among both girls and boys, and declines for all ages (from 19% to 13% for 5-12 year olds and from 34% to 24% for 13-17 year olds over the same period).
• Overall, participation in a sports or active leisure activity with a club shows little change between 1997 and 2001, staying close to two-in-five young people (despite the fall in 1999 to 35%). Participation in club sports and active leisure activities for boys shows an increase from 43% in 1997 to 46% in 2001, with little change for girls.
• European young people participating in sports and active leisure activities with family and friends has increased significantly from 67% in 1997 to 72% in 2001. This is again true for both girls and boys and across age groups, but in particular for boys and 5-12 year olds.

Pacific young people

• Since 1997, Pacific young people’s participation in sport and active leisure overall has fallen significantly from 95% to 73% in 2001. This has occurred among both girls (100% to 71%) and boys (91% to 76%) and across age groups – for Pacific young people aged 5-12 years old it has fallen from 100% in 1997 to 80% in 2001, and for those aged 13-17 years levels of participation have dropped from 85% in 1997 to 61% in 2001. Changes among these sub-groups of Pacific young people, however, cannot be considered significant due to small sample sizes of each group.
• Overall participation in sport and active leisure during school has also fallen significantly, from 76% in 1997 to 60% in 2001. Since 1999 the decrease is particularly marked for boys, falling from 75% to 54% in 2001.
• Participation in sports and active leisure before and after school has hovered between 17% and 22% of all Pacific young people over the period 1997 to 2001.
• Participation in sports and active leisure organised at a club has increased, although not significantly, from 15% of all Pacific young people in 1997 to 20% in 2001. Boys’ participation in a sport and/or active leisure activity organised by a club has increased from 20% to 29% but for girls there has been little change – from 7% to 10%.
• Participation in sports and active leisure activities with family and friends has shown little change since 1997, hovering between 57% and 61% of all Pacific young people.

Other ethnic group young people

• Since 1999, young people’s overall participation in sport and active leisure has hovered between 93% and 94%, although in 1997 it was lower at 85%.
• Over time, boys have shown a small increase in participation levels from 90% in 1997 to 93% in 2001, and since 1999 for girls it has increased to around 94% from 80% in 1997. Participation levels have also increased across age groups between 1997 and 2001, although the most marked increases are for 5-12 year olds, occurring between 1997 and 1999 (from 88% to 98%), and for 13-17 year olds, increasing from 84% (1999) to 92% (2001). These changes have not been significant, however.
• Participation levels during school hours have fallen from 68% in 1997 to 58% in 2001, especially among boys although none of the changes have tested as significant due to small sample sizes.
• Participation in sport and active leisure activities before and after school has shown little overall change since 1997; however, boys’ participation has fallen from 30% to 19% in 2001, and participation of 5-12 year old has fallen from 26% in 1997 (and a significant decline from 32% in 1999) to 11% in 2001. On the other hand, girls’ participation has increased, as it did for young people aged 13-17 years, although not by significant amounts.
• Participation in a sport or active leisure activity organised by a club has fallen since 1999 from 24% to 18%. This pattern is consistent for both boys and girls, and young people aged 5-12 years. These differences are not significant.
• There has, however, been a significant increase in the proportion of young people participating with family and friends from 50% in 1997 to 77% in 2001. This is reflected across both age groups and genders, but is particularly significant among boys.

Trends among adults’ participation in sport and active leisure

Since 1997 there has been little change in the participation in sport and active leisure activities by adults of different ethnic groups. The most substantial changes (although not statistically significant) include:

• 25-34 year old Maori adults’ participation in sporting activities has increased from 87% in 1997 to 93% in 2001.
• There has been a drop in the proportion of Pacific men participating in sporting activities since 1999 from 94% to 87% in 2001, and among young Pacific adults (those aged 18-24 years) whose participation in sport has decreased from 99% to 87% over this period.
• Other ethnic group men’s participation in sporting activities has fallen from 87% in 1997 to 81% in 2001, and for adults aged 18-24 years it has fallen from 100% to 89%.
• The participation of women from Other ethnic groups in sporting activities has fluctuated between 74% and 80% over this period.

Regional Sports Trusts

Young people's participation in sport and active leisure

Since 1997 there have been significant declines in the participation of young people in sports and active leisure in three RST areas – Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, and Wellington. There have, however, been a substantial number of significant changes in different settings – during school hours, outside school hours, with a club, or with family/friends. The key changes are summarised below for each RST area.

Significant changes in Participation in sport & active leisure among Regional Sports Trusts

I Significant increase in RST area overall, since either 1997 or 1999

D Significant decrease in RST area overall, since either 1997 or 1999

– No significant change overall, since either 1997 or 1999

Northland young people

• Overall, Northland young people’s participation in sport and active leisure has not changed significantly over the period 1997 to 2001. There have, however, been changes in participation in different settings.
• Participation in sport and active leisure outside school hours by young people in this region has decreased significantly between 1999 and 2001 (from 21% to 10%).
• In contrast, participation with family and friends has significantly increased over the same period (from 55% to 73%) – this is especially evident for girls (their participation with family and friends has significantly increased from 41% to 73% between 1999 and 2001).

North Harbour and Waitakere young people

• Overall, there has been little change in North Harbour and Waitakere young people's participation in sport and active leisure over the period 1997 to 2001.
• However, there has been a significant decrease in participation in sport and leisure activities outside of school hours (from 34% to 20%), especially for boys (from 41% to 22%).
• There has also been a significant drop in the proportion of 13-17 years from this region who participate sport and leisure activities within school hours from 76% in 1999 to 49% in 2001 (even though it had increased from 68% in 1997).

Auckland young people

• Over the period 1997 to 2001, there has been little overall change in the participation of Auckland’s young people in sport and active leisure.
• However, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion taking part in school activities outside school hours. In 1997, nearly a quarter of young people (24%) took part in sport and activity in this way, but this number had dropped to 13% in 2001.

Counties Manukau young people

• There has been no significant change in the participation in sport and active leisure of young people in Counties Manukau over the period 1997 to 2001. There have, however, been changes in the settings in which they participate.
• Significantly fewer young people participate during school hours – down from 78% in 1997 to 65% in 2001, and particularly among boys (from 78% to 55%) and 5-12 year olds (from 82% to 67%).
• The participation of teenagers in activities outside of school hours has also declined significantly, from 43% in 1997 to 23% in 2001.
• However, participation in sports and active leisure activities with friends/family has increased significantly since 1999 when 52% of all young people did so, to 65% in 2001 (although this had been 62% in 1997). This increase is particularly evident among boys – rising to 80% in 2001 from 64% in 1997 and 57% in 1999 – and among 5-12 year olds where participation with friends/family has risen from 57% in 1999 to 73% in 2001.

Waikato young people

• Since 1997, the proportion of young people in the Waikato area who participate in sport or active leisure has increased (although not significantly) from 92% to 95% in 2001, with small increases for both boys and girls over this time, and for both teenagers and pre-teenage young people.
• However, participation in sports and activities during school hours has declined significantly overall, from 75% in 1997 to 60% in 2001, particularly among girls in the Waikato area, from 68% in 1997 to 47% in 2001, while boys have experienced a smaller drop from 82% to 73% over the same period.
• There has also been a significant drop in the participation in sports/activities during school hours by teenage young people (aged 13-17 years) between 1997 and 2001, from 77% to 49%, and a smaller drop among pre-teenagers from 74% to 65%.
• Participation at school outside school hours has been through a swing from 15% in 1997, to 25% in 1999 and down significantly again to 12% in 2001.
• Conversely participation with a club declined between 1997 and 1999 (from 26% to 18%) but has increased significantly to 35% by 2001.
• On the other hand, participation with family and friends has increased from 59% to 77%, and is significant for boys (from 53% to 78%) and under 13 year olds, from 59% to 79%, with teenagers (13-17 year olds) also increasing (from 60% to 73%).

Bay of Plenty young people

• Since 1997, the proportion of young people in the Bay of Plenty area who participate in sport or active leisure has decreased significantly, from 96% to 86% in 2001.
• Decreases have occurred for both genders, but particularly among girls (dropping from 95% participation in 1997 to 84% in 2001; the participation of boys in sports and active leisure declined by a smaller amount, from 97% to 88% in 2001.
• Similar declines were experienced across all age groups.

Taranaki, Wanganui and Manawatu young people

• Overall, there has been no significant change between 1997 and 2001 in the participation in sport and active leisure activities of young people living in Taranaki, Wanganui, and Manawatu. However, there have been some changes when considering different settings for sport and active leisure participation.
• Significant declines in participation have been seen across most settings – during school (the participation rate has dropped from 61% to 46% between 1997 and 2001 and is especially noticeable for boys), outside school (from 26% to 12%), and with a club (37% to 23%).
• In contrast, participation in sport and active leisure with family and friends has increased significantly over this period from 64% to 78%. Girls and 5-12 year olds in particular have increased their participation with family and friends (from 51% to 73% for girls and from 71% to 85% for 5-12 year olds).

Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne young people

• Overall, participation in sport and active leisure by young people living in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne has significantly decreased over the period 1997 to 2001, from 98% to 79%.
• This decline is evident for boys and girls and across age groups, but especially for 13-17 year olds, 98% of whom participated in 1997 compared with 74% in 2001.
• There have also been significant changes for participation in various settings:
  • Boys’ participation in sport and active leisure outside school hours has fallen from 31% in 1997 to 13% in 2001;
  • Overall participation with a club has fallen from 30% to 18% over the same period (and was especially evident for young people 5-12 years old where participation more than halved from 33% in 1997 to 14% in 2001); and
  • Participation with family and friends has fallen from 76% to 59% between 1997 and 2001, especially for girls (77% to 57%) and 13-17 year olds (71% to 42%).

Wellington young people

• Participation in sport and active leisure activities by young people living in Wellington has declined significantly between 1997 and 2001, from 94% to 76%. This decrease in participation is evident for boys and girls and across age groups.
• There has also been a significant decline in the level of participation during school hours from 78% in 1997 to 64% in 2001, due to the participation of boys in this setting declining from 81% to 64%, and 5-12 year olds declining from 83% to 68% over the same period.

Tasman young people

• There has been little overall change in the participation of Tasman young people in sport and active leisure between 1997 and 2001, although there have been changes in participation in sport and active leisure in different settings.
• Boys’ participation in sport and active leisure outside school hours has decreased significantly between 1999 and 2001 from 31% to 14% (even though it had been 15% in 1997), while girls’ participation in sport and active leisure outside of school has significantly increased between 1997 and 2001 from 14% to 32%.
• Participation with family and friends has significantly increased for young people in this region from 63% in 1997 to 77% in 2001. This increase is especially noticeable among 5-12 year olds, rising from 66% to 86%.

Canterbury/Westland young people

• Overall, there has been little change in Canterbury/Westland young people’s participation in sport and active leisure in the various settings over the period 1997 to 2001.
• While the level of participation outside school hours has dropped from 16% in 1997 to 7% in 2001, participation with a club or family and friends increased over the same period. Neither change can be considered as significant, however.

Otago and Southland young people

• Over the period 1997 to 2001, there has been little overall change in the participation in sport and active leisure by young people living in Otago and Southland. There have, however, been significant changes in participation in different settings:
• Participation during school hours has increased between 1999 and 2001 from 53% to 79% (even though it had been 79% in 1997), especially for boys (44% to 82%) and 5-12 year olds (60% to 84%).
• Participation outside school hours has also increased for young people in this region between 1999 and 2001, from 18% to 36% (it had been 36% in 1997), especially for boys (16% to 38%).
• Participation in sport and active leisure with a club has increased for girls from 26% in 1999 to 52% in 2001(it had been 37% in 1997); and for 5-12 year olds from 24% in 1999 to 49% in 2001 (even though it had been 41% in 1997).
• 5-12 year olds also show a significant increase participation with family and friends over the period 1997 to 2001, from 68% to 84%.

Adults’ participation in sport and active leisure

Participation by adults in sport and active leisure activities overall is relatively high and has not changed significantly in any RST area. Looking at participation in sporting activities alone, however, shows more changes have occurred – these highlighted in the following table, and key differences are summarised for each RST below. Figures for sporting activity exclude adults in each RST area whose only leisure-time physical activity is gardening or walking, as well as those who have done no sport or active leisure in the last year.

Significant changes in Participation in sporting activities only among Regional Sports Trusts

I Significant increase in RST area overall, since either 1997 or 1999

D Significant decrease in RST area overall, since either 1997 or 1999

– No significant change overall, since either 1997 or 1999

Northland adults

• There have been a number of changes in the participation of Northland adults in sporting activities over the period 1997 to 2001.
• Overall, participation in sporting activities decreased from 81% in 1997 to 77% in 1999, but has since increased significantly to 85% in 2001.
• This increase is evident for men and women, and for people in most age groups, but is especially significant for women (participation was 75%, 72% and 83% in 1997, 1999, and 2001 respectively) and for those aged 35-49 years (83%, 88%, and 92% respectively).
• For those aged 50 years or over, participation in sporting activities has also increased significantly from 58% in 1999 to 72% in 2001 (although it had also been 72% in 1997).

North Harbour and Waitakere adults

• Over the period 1997 to 2001, there has been little change in the proportion of adults from North Harbour and Waitakere who participate in sporting activities.
• The exception is the participation in sporting activity by those aged 50 years or over, which increased from 75% in 1997 to 81% in 1999, but then dropped significantly to 69% in 2001.

Auckland adults

• Participation in sporting activity among Auckland adults has significantly increased over time, from 82% in 1997 to 88% in 2001, and especially for men. The proportion of Auckland men participating in sport in 1997 was 83%, and has increased significantly to 91% in 2001.
• The proportion of women participating in sporting activities also increased over this period, but to a lesser degree (82% to 86%).

Counties Manukau adults

• Over the period 1997 to 2001, participation in sporting activities by Counties Manukau adults has significantly decreased, from 81% to 74%.
• This is due mainly to a significant decrease in the proportion of women taking part in sport, from 76% in 1997 to 65% in 2001. Men’s participation has also decreased, but to a lesser extent (from 87% to 84%).

Waikato adults

• Participation in sporting activities has remained fairly constant over time among adults in the Waikato region overall, with no significant changes able to be determined for either gender or among age groups.
• The most observable trend is among 18-24 year olds, where the participation in at least one sporting activity has increased from 92% in 1997 to 100% in 2001; older adults (aged 50 years or over) also increased their participation in sports activities, from 65% to 72% over this time.

Bay of Plenty adults

• Participation in sporting activities has remained fairly constant over time among adults in the Bay of Plenty region overall, with no significant changes able to be determined for either gender or among age groups.

Taranaki, Wanganui, and Manawatu adults

• Overall, participation in sporting activities by adults in Taranaki, Wanganui, and Manawatu has changed little over the period 1997 to 2001.
• However, for those aged 35-49 years, there has been a significant increase in participation in sporting activities – from 82% in 1997 to 91% in 2001.

Hawke's Bay and Gisborne adults

• Over the period 1997 to 2001, there have been no significant changes in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne adults’ participation in sporting activities.
• However, participation in sporting activities for men in this region has decreased from 89% in 1997 to 83% in 2001, while for women it has increased from 75% to 82% over the same period.

Wellington adults

• There has been little change in Wellington adults’ participation in sporting activities over the period 1997 to 2001.

Tasman adults

• Overall, there has been little change over the period 1997 to 2001 in the proportion of people living in Tasman who participate in sporting activities.
• However, the proportion of women who participate in sporting activities has changed significantly over this period. In 1997, 75% participated in a sporting activity, rising to 85% in 2001.

Canterbury/Westland adults

• Overall, there have been no major changes in Canterbury/Westland adults’ participation in sporting activities between 1997 and 2001.
• However, there has been an increase in participation in sporting activities by people aged 50 years or over. In 1997 this figure was 72% and, after dropping to 61% in 1999, it has risen significantly since then to 77% in 2001.

Otago and Southland adults

• Over the period 1997-2001, the proportions of Otago and Southland adults who participate in sporting activities alone, have significantly increased. In 1997, 76% of adults in this region participated in sport, and by 2001 this figure has risen to 83%.
• Participation has increased especially for those aged 50 years or over – in 1997, 52% of adults in this age group took part in sporting activities and in 2001 the participation rate is 68%.

Older adults

• Since 1997 there has been little change in older adults’ participation in sport and active leisure activities, or in sporting activities alone.
• The sole exception is that the participation in sporting activities among 65-74 year olds has risen significantly between 1999 and 2001, from 62% to 70% (although it had been 69% in 1997).

Volunteers

• Since 1997 there has been little change in volunteers’ participation in sport and active leisure activities or sporting activities alone.
• The only significant variation has been a decline in the participation of 25-34 year olds in sporting activities alone, from 97% of volunteers in this age group in 1999 to 92% in 2001 (although it had been 95% in 1997).