By CASEY NEILL
WALKING is the most popular sport and recreation activity in Greater Dandenong – and footy doesn’t even make the top 10.
Councillors endorsed the 2015 Sport and Active Recreation Participation Survey at the 26 October Greater Dandenong Council meeting.
The 669 respondents also revealed that half did not engage in the recommended levels of physical activity – 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on most days.
The survey found that lack of time was the main barrier to participating in sport and recreation activities.
Other major barriers included lack of information for people born oversees; facilities being too far away, especially for young people; and health reasons, for people with a disability and older adults.
The 10 most popular sport and recreation activities in Greater Dandenong, in order, are walking or walking the dog; swimming; running or jogging; cycling; fitness, gym or aerobics; basketball; soccer; dancing; tennis; and yoga.
“Good old Aussie Rules doesn’t even make the top 10 anymore,“ Cr John Kelly said.
Community services director Mark Doubleday said the top 10 preferences were the same as the 2011 survey but the order had changed.
Participation rates for walking and fitness, gym and aerobics had increased since 2011, and swimming is the most popular children’s activity despite its overall popularity dropping.
Mr Doubleday said this was in line with a nationwide downward trend in swimming participation.
He said soccer and swimming participation levels in Greater Dandenong were above national averages, despite the number of soccer clubs decreasing and the sport appearing at number seven on the popularity list.
“Consolidation of clubs is not necessarily a bad thing,” he said.
Mr Doubleday said it remained a preferred sport in 15 to 17 years age group in particular.
The council will use the report to help inform planning for facilities and programming.
