REVIEW OF OPERATIONS NSW Sport and Recreation Operating environment Health benefits We have a key role in contributing to health-related issues Sport and recreation are important features of the Australian such as obesity, depression and ageing-related illness. lifestyle. They deliver a wide range of social, economic and Research shows that for every 10% increase in participation health benefits and are valuable contributors to our national in sport and active recreation by adults, there is a $600 million identity, lifestyle and community. saving in direct health costs. Obesity is a key issue facing the NSW community with Benefits almost a quarter of school children aged five to 16 years and nearly half of all adults classified as overweight or obese. Social benefits With physical inactivity identified as a major risk factor in The benefits of participation in sport are well known causing overweight and obesity, we are continuing to develop – developing the self-esteem of young people, promoting strategies to encourage the NSW population to increase their psychological well-being, learning to be part of a team, participation in sport and active recreation. maintaining fitness and improving the quality of life for all. A NSW Arts growing body of research also suggests participation in sport Participation and active recreation has an impact on social factors such as community pride, identity, crime prevention, the development Participation in sport and active recreation by adults and maintenance of life skills, increased community cohesion In the 12 months to 2005 4,429,600 adults aged 15 years and improved social networks. and over participated in sport or active recreation in New NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing Participants in outdoor education and recreation programs, South Wales. This was 83.5% of all adults in this age group such as those conducted at our NSW Sport and Recreation within New South Wales. However, in terms of recommended Centres, are exposed to challenging situations that assist participation for health benefits, only one in four NSW adults the development of social and life skills, including greater played a sport or were involved in active recreation five or independence, improvement of peer interaction skills, more times a week. awareness of risk taking and its consequences, and the development of moral and community ethics. Programs are designed specifically to assist young people to develop a Adult participation in sport and active recreation in NSW range of skills and life experiences that they can draw on to and Recreation face future challenges. They also can be of particular value to NSW Sport young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who Yoga 207,300 respond best to alternative learning styles. Football (outdoor) 301,000 Economic benefits Bushwalking 373,300 The sport and recreation sector is important for the NSW Running 374,000 economy. It contributes a large economic saving in relation to Golf 403,200 lowering the burden of disease such as cardiovascular disease Cycling 474,200 and strokes. The sector also contributes directly to the economy (estimated at approximately 2% of Gross Domestic Product). Tennis 483,900 871,700 The NSW sport and recreation industry is also integral to Swimming providing employment. At the end of June 2001, there were Aerobics/fitness 978,400 over 2,000 employing organisations involved in the provision of Walking (other 1,940,000 sport and physical activities in New South Wales. The majority of than bushwalking) 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 these (61%) were ‘for profit’ organisations while 32% were not- for-profit and the remaining 7% were government agencies. ‘000 At the last Census of Population and Housing in 2001 there Source: Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey, 2005. were over 25,000 people in New South Wales who stated their main occupation was in a sport or physical activity occupation. In addition to these people, the Australian Bureau The proportion of the NSW population who participated in of Statistics (ABS) estimates there are a further 50,000 sport and active recreation has increased by 7% from 2001 people in paid employment in the sector. to 2005. This indicator reflects the important role that the However, the success of the industry depends largely on its department’s policies, as well as those of other government unpaid volunteer workforce. In 2004, there were 451,000 agencies including the Department of Health, have in volunteers in organised sport and active recreation in New encouraging people in New South Wales to participate in sport South Wales. These volunteers performed 608,700 non- and active recreation. playing roles such as officials, administrators and other support roles. This is 89% of all non-playing roles in the industry. 42 Annual Report 05-06 Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation Percentage of the NSW population aged 15 and over who participated in sport and active recreation Sport and active recreation 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Only organised (a) 13.0% 14.9% 14.2% 12.4% 13.6% Only non-organised 39.0% 34.7% 40.0% 39.3% 41.9% Both organised and non-organised 25.7% 26.4% 27.3% 30.2% 28.1% Total 77.9% 76.0% 81.5% 82.0% 83.5% Source: Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey Participation in organised sport by children and appropriate environment for their members and sporting participants. In the 12 months to 2003 548,300 children aged between five and 14 years, participated in organised sport and active The proportion of volunteers has remained relatively stable recreation in New South Wales out of school hours. This was since 2001, although down from its peak in 1997. The peak 62% of all children in New South Wales in this age group age range for volunteers is between 40 and 44 years (19%) – 320,000 boys and 228,100 girls. Although there was followed by 45 to 49 years (17%). The rate of volunteerism a much higher proportion of boys (71%) than girls (53%) declines rapidly after these age groups with the rate at only participating in organised sport, there is less difference about 4.7% of the population aged 70 and over. between the genders if dancing is included – 71% for boys With an ageing society where the proportion of people aged and 64% for girls. 65 and over is expected to double in the next 45 years, the effect on the number of volunteers available for the sport and recreation industry could be dramatic. Conversely, the Top 10 organised sports in NSW for children proportion of the population aged 0 to 14 years is expected to decrease dramatically from over 20% of the current population Gymnastics/ in New South Wales down to 14% by 2051. trampolining 27,100 Martial arts 32,700 An environmental factor that presents a challenge to ensuring Athletics, track that the rates of participation of children in sport and active 35,200 and field recreation continue to increase is the amount of time spent Basketball 43,700 by children on forms of passive recreation. From the most Outdoor cricket 43,700 recent ABS survey on children, 71% played electronic or computer games during or outside of school hours in 2003 Rugby league 49,200 and 64% accessed the Internet. The most popular activity Tennis 67,800 among children was watching television or videos with 98% Netball 82,400 of children participating in this activity for an average of 22 hours a fortnight. The survey also found that 62% of children 162,000 Swimming participated in organised sport during the same period. While Outdoor soccer 185,900 sporting activities and passive recreation are not mutually 0 50 100 150 200 exclusive, they are often in competition for children’s time. ‘000 Changes in society see many children receiving very limited exposure to and interaction with natural environments. With an Source: Children’s Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities, 2003 (ABS Cat. No. 4901.0) increasing number of adults also unfamiliar with the outdoors, family-based opportunities for children to experience the Australian bush and to develop relevant personal and social skills in this environment are decreasing. This creates a strong The future of sport and recreation contemporary relevance and need for the style of programs There are a number of challenges facing the sport and conducted at our Sport and Recreation Centres. recreation industry as people spend longer hours at work Outdoor recreation also presents an important support and less time on leisure. The longer working week also has structure to the formal education of children. All young people an effect on the time available for volunteers to work in the at risk, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, or organisation and administration of sport in New South Wales, with social and emotional problems, benefit enormously from especially in the not-for-profit sector. This sector depends programs structured to increase their personal confidence, nearly entirely on ongoing support by volunteers for its survival. awareness, independent living skills and skills of working With the increased focus on risk management compliance, within a team. We continue to strengthen relationships and to child protection issues and sport rage, we are continuing to work collaboratively with agencies including the Departments work closely with industry to ensure they can provide a safe Annual Report 05-06 Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation 43 REVIEW of opErations - NSW Sport and REcrEation cont’D of Community Services and Juvenile Justice in order to KEY RESULT AREA 1 provide further opportunities for young people in New South Wales. Building industry and community Programs for school children currently form approximately capacity 60% of the Sport and Recreation Centres’ business.