National sport and physical activity participation
Children aged 0-14 in regional/rural areas
Headline indicators
Participate in organised outside-of-school hours sport or physical activity 1+ per week
2022-23 42% [607,000]
Participate in organised outside-of-school hours sport-related activity 1+ per week
2022-23 38% [550,000]
Participate through a sports club or association 1+ per year
2022-23 42% [603,000]
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1122188/Female-child-Gymnastics.png)
What’s changed?
Since 2021-22, overall participation through a sports club/association has decreased among children in regional and rural areas.
All participation rates 2016–17 to 2022–23
Frequency of participation
1+ per year.
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/1122189/Male-child-soccer2.png)
What’s changed?
Since 2021-22, overall participation (1+ per year) has decreased among children in regional and rural areas.
Most popular sport and non-sport-related activities 2022–23
Estimated number of participants
Boys 0-14 in regional/rural areas
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/1092366/Swimming-AUSLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Swimming
234,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1085918/Soccer-colour-navy-green.png)
Football/soccer
128,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0007/1092373/AFL-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Australian football
104,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/1092370/Basketball-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Basketball
81,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0008/1092365/Gymnastics-AUSLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Gymnastics
55,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1092371/Runner-AUSPLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Running/athletics
47,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0016/1101274/Rugby-League-Custom-Navy-Green.png)
Rugby league
44,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/1095543/Cricket-bat-and-ball-Ausplay-Icons_Colour-Navy-Green1.png)
Cricket
42,000
Girls 0-14 in regional/rural areas
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/1092366/Swimming-AUSLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Swimming
229,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0008/1092365/Gymnastics-AUSLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Gymnastics
115,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0011/1092368/Netball-AUSLAY-Icon-Navy-Green.png)
Netball
104,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0008/1121120/Dancing.png)
Dance (recreational)
102,000
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/1085918/Soccer-colour-navy-green.png)
Football/soccer
58,000
Activities with estimates of less than 40,000 not shown.
![](https://www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0017/1122191/Swimmer.png)
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