Figures confirm that sport & recreation is key industry in WA

27/7/98

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures have confirmed that sport and recreation is a key industry in Western Australia.

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said the figures showed that over 19,000 Western Australians made their living from sport and recreation.

"There is no doubt that the sport and recreation industry is developing into one of the most important in the State," Mr Moore said.

According to the figures from the 1996 census, 19,016 Western Australians are employed in the sport and recreation industries.

"These figures are likely to be conservative as many people in the industry could have identified themselves as being part of another sector, such as local government," Mr Moore said.

"What is amazing is the sheer variety of jobs which rely on sport and recreation - from fitness centre managers to sports coaches to animal trainers. The range and diversity of people working in the field is astounding.

"Ministry of Sport and Recreation figures show Western Australians made about 17 million visits to recreation centres in a year.

"The impact on the economy of such an interest in sport and recreation is now apparent."

Mr Moore said people who took part in regular physical activity were healthier and happier than those who did not, so the success of the sport and recreation industry was a win-win situation for all concerned.

Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 08 9 321 1444