In 2016, Boroondara released its Sport and Recreation Strategy. The Strategy outlined popular sport and recreation activities for Boroondara residents. These activities were ordered by age group 0-4, 5-14 and 15 years and over. The Strategy also outlined overall participation rates for Boroondara residents.
The Strategy results are shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3.
This information indicates that younger people were more likely to participate in structured sport as their preferred activity. While structured sport is still popular for those aged 15 years and above, there is a gradual shift towards participation in a broader array of activities.
Boroondara’s participation rate in sport and recreation compares favourably in comparison with Australian and Victorian averages. For example, Boroondara’s participation rate for people aged 15 years and over is 91%, compared to 60.2% Australia wide and 60.5% in Victoria. For children and young people aged 5 to 14 years, Boroondara’s participation rates are 99%, to 60.2% Australia wide and 60.5% in Victoria.
Participation in this context refers to whether a person has participated in a sport and recreation activity in the last 12 months. This includes activities undertaken at both Council and private facilities.
Table 1: Popular sport and recreation activities for 0 to 4 year olds
|
Sport and Recreation activity |
Boroondara Percentage Participation rate |
|---|---|
|
Swimming |
54.0% |
|
Parks (playgrounds) |
51.2% |
|
Dancing |
8.9% |
|
Gymnastics |
5.3% |
|
Bike/Scooter |
4.9% |
|
Tennis |
2.3% |
|
Junior sports development |
2.2% |
|
Walking/running |
2.0% |
|
Soccer |
1.9% |
|
Auskick/football |
1.5% |
|
Basketball |
0.5% |
|
Net Set Go/Netta Netball |
0.2% |
Table 2: Popular sport and recreation activities for 5 to 14 year olds
|
Sport and recreation activity |
Boroondara percentage participation rate |
|---|---|
|
Swimming |
50.0% |
|
Basketball |
34.0% |
|
Football - Australian rules football / Auskick |
27.8% |
|
Tennis |
24.2% |
|
Cricket |
15.3% |
|
Netball |
12.5% |
|
Football - Soccer |
11.8% |
|
Dancing |
11.5% |
|
Gymnastics/ Callisthenics |
9.9% |
|
Cycling - Bike Paths/ Tracks |
7.3% |
|
Athletics (track and field)/ Little Athletics |
7.1% |
|
Hockey/ Ice hockey |
5.9% |
|
Physical Education (PE) |
4.9% |
|
Running - Cross Country |
4.0% |
|
Martial Arts |
2.8% |
Table 3: Popular sport and recreation activities for 15+ years
|
Sport and recreation activity |
Boroondara percentage participation rate |
|---|---|
|
Walking for exercise* |
50.9% |
|
Cycling** |
17.5% |
|
Fitness/Gym*** |
17% |
|
Running - Jogging |
14.2% |
|
Swimming |
14.1% |
|
Golf |
6.8% |
|
Tennis |
6.7% |
|
Basketball |
5.7% |
|
Football - Aussie Rules/Australian rules football |
3.8% |
|
Yoga |
3.5% |
|
Pilates |
3.5% |
|
Netball |
3.4% |
|
Cricket |
3.0% |
|
Football - Soccer |
2.6% |
|
Dancing |
2.4% |
*includes walking, casual/power walking and dog walking
**includes cycling on roads, bike paths and track/Velodrome
***includes gym-workouts and personal training
Leisure centres
In 2016-17, 2.55 million visits were made to one of Boroondara’s four leisure centres, an increase from the 2.44 million visits in 2015-16.
During 2015-16, Boroondara Sports Complex underwent major renovations involving the incorporation of all services from the Balwyn Leisure Centre, which ceased to operate on 30 June 2016.
Our leisure centres include:
