Eime, Rochelle ORCID: 0000-0002-8614-2813, Harvey, John ORCID: 0000-0001-6927-6580, Charity, Melanie ORCID: 0000-0003-3270-3563, Pankowiak, Aurélie ORCID: 0000-0003-0178-513X, Westerbeek, Hans ORCID: 0000-0001-5092-9676 and Mesagno, Christopher ORCID: 0000-0001-9417-4359 (2024) The motivations to play organised club-based sport in Australia. Leisure Studies. pp. 1-16. ISSN 0261-4367

Abstract

The way individuals want to consume sport during their leisure time has changed dramatically over past decades. In order to meet sport participant consumer needs, it is important to understand their motivations to play and how these may differ between different demographics. The aim of this study was to investigate the motivations to play sport across: age, gender, residential location and the settings, modes and level of participation. An online survey of sport participants asked about age, gender, residential location, type of sports and physical activities participated in, frequency and duration of play, and motivations for playing organised club-based sport. Survey respondents (N = 4,395) were aged between 13–92 years. The Self-Determination Theory, Fun Integration Theory, and relevant sport motivation research were used to develop the motivations for playing organised sport in the survey and the results are described and discussed based on this information. The main motivations were fun/enjoyment, physical health/fitness, performance/competition and social reasons. Motivations differed between demographic groups and across the lifespan. Sport policy makers and managers should focus on developing flexible and inclusive sporting opportunities that centre, on friendship, fun and skill development, and those diverse intrinsic motivations that better align with participants’ desires to play sport.

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