Year 10 PE – Participation in Sport

Sports is a massive part in Australian culture. 90% of all Australian adults say that they
have played a sport in the past year. 72% of all school children as well are said to play a
sport. Many different sports are played including: cricket, soccer, AFL, rugby, track,
swimming, boxing, golf, dance, basketball/netball, tennis, hockey, and cycling. Its not
just a love for playing sport either, we also love watching it. Australians are said to spend
60 million hours per week watching sport. People in Gen Z are said to spend 4.3 hours
per week watching sport. We are said to be the fifth most sports mad country in the
world only behind the USA, France, the UK, and Spain. It has come to the point where
when you meet a someone new the question is not “Do you play a sport?” but instead
“What sport do you play?”.

Personally, I love cricket. Cricket is a great sport to play as so many Australians are in
love with it. The culture around cricket is amazing as everyone is extremely supportive if
you are only just starting and want to get into the sport. Once you start playing club
there is a certain level of effort you are expected to put into practise and playing
however so if you are not willing to meet those expectations you may be criticised.

Swimming is one of the most popular sports in the world however unfortunately to
participate in it you need a pool or live near a laker/beach. If you do not live near a place
with these things you may struggle getting into the sport. Gender is also a factor in
swimming. Of people who participate in swimming men make of 63% of that number.
This shows women are less likely to enjoy and partake in this sport. Swimming is known
to be one of the best sports for people of any age. You often see people in their 70s or
older in the pool as it is a great way to still get exercise even if you are past your prime.
Swimming is a fairly cheap sport. If you have access to a pool really the only thing you
need is a set of bathers. One of the biggest barriers stop people from swimming is that
they do not know how to. Swimming is a skill that is usually taught to a child when they
are young. If you were not taught it then it may be a bit hard to learn how to. Also, you
may feel embarrassed to ask for help to learn if you are an adult.
Between 2004 and 2008 the internet really started its takeover. Its possible because of
this people were more encouraged to take up physical activity. People with higher
education are more likely to be aware of the benefits of physical activity. They are more
likely to be financially stable meaning more free time which could be used to exercise.
On the main land soccer is far more popular than in Tasmania. On the other hand,
running is far more popular in Tasmania where it placed 7 th while it did not crack the top
10 for the mainland. However, touch is far more popular on the mainland where like
running it placed 7th yet missed the list for Tasmania. Not having English as your first
language my inhibit you from partaking in sports as one of the most important aspects
of team sports in particular is communication. It may be hard to communicate with your
teammates if English is a second, third or even fourth language.