National sport and physical activity participation
Boys aged 0-14
Headline indicators
Participate in organised outside-of-school hours sport or physical activity 1+ per week
2022-23 51% [1,322,000]
Participate in organised outside-of-school hours sport-related activity 1+ per week
2022-23 49% [1,282,000]
Participate through a sports club or association 1+ per year
2022-23 48% [1,243,000]
What’s changed?
Since 2021-22, the percentage of boys 0-14 participating at least once a week in organised outside-of-school sport or physical activity has increased. This is driven by sport-related participation which has also increased.
All participation rates 2016–17 to 2022–23
Frequency of participation
1+ per week, 3+ per week.
Most popular sport and non-sport-related activities 2022–23
Estimated number of participants
Boys 0-4
Swimming
377,000
Gymnastics
95,000
Football/soccer
48,000
Boys 5-8
Swimming
310,000
Football/soccer
225,000
Australian football
128,000
Basketball
100,000
Gymnastics
68,000
Tennis
56,000
Running/athletics
53,000
Boys 9-11
Swimming
163,000
Football/soccer
137,000
Australian football
101,000
Basketball
101,000
Cricket
62,000
Running/athletics
49,000
Tennis
49,000
Rugby league
49,000
Boys 12-14
Basketball
124,000
Football/soccer
114,000
Swimming
97,000
Australian football
79,000
Cricket
53,000
Tennis
47,000
Activities with estimates of less than 40,000 not shown.
Children aged 0-14
Young adults aged 15–19
Australians aged 15+
Older Australians aged 55+
Girls aged 0-14
Females aged 15+
Boys aged 0-14
Males aged 15+
Australians aged 18+ with disability
Children 0-14 LOTE
Australians 18+ LOTE
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 18+
Children aged 0-14 in major cities
Australians aged 15+ in major cities
Children aged 0-14 in regional/rural areas
Australians aged 15+ in regional/rural areas
Children aged 0-14 by state / territory 2022-23
Australians aged 15+ by state / territory 2022-23