Australia’s dominant football codes might have the critical mass of supporters, but other sports have the most passionate and dedicated followers, according to the Sensis® Consumer Report released today.

The report, which interviewed 1,500 Australians nationwide from 18 August to 21 September, provides a quarterly analysis of the issues affecting the nation (please see separate release about consumer confidence).

Report author Ms Christena Singh said the findings reconfirmed Australians’ love affair with sport.

“Sport appears to be the great leveller in Australia, with interest and participation spanning all socio-economic and age groups.”

Overall, the report shows eight in 10 Australians are interested in sport, with a wide range of sports being followed.

“It is probably not surprising AFL, NRL and cricket are the most popular sports amongst Australians, holding the critical mass of supporters.

“However, what may be surprising to some is cycling, soccer, swimming, horse racing, basketball and netball are the sports which have the most passionate and committed followers,” Ms Singh explained.

Overall, 69 per cent of cycling enthusiasts said the sport played a very important part in their lives, making them by far the most passionate followers.

“And when it comes to attendance, when we see interest translating into action, it is basketball that has the most committed supporters.”

Approximately 30 per cent of Australians currently play their favourite sport, while 38 per cent used to play and 33 per cent have never played.

Australians’ favourite sports:

• AFL (21 per cent)
• NRL (12 per cent)
• Cricket (11 per cent)
• Soccer 11 per cent)
• Tennis (nine per cent)
• Swimming (four per cent)
• Netball (four per cent).

Australia’s most passionate supporters
(Percentage of people who said their favourite sport was a very important part of their lives):

• Cycling (69 per cent)
• Swimming (61 per cent)
• Horse racing (55 per cent)
• Soccer (39 per cent).

Number of times per year supporters attend their favourite sport:

• Basketball (13 times per year)
• Cycling (10 times per year)
• Swimming (10 times per year)
• Netball (10 times per year)
• Soccer (nine times per year).

About Sensis

Sensis is Telstra's advertising business and Australia's leading directories information resource, helping Australians find, buy and sell. Sensis delivers innovative and integrated local search and digital marketing solutions via print, online, voice and mobile channels to connect Australians 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sensis' powerful, multi-channel portfolio provides an unparalleled local information source incorporating the White Pages® and Yellow Pages® directories; the MediaSmart digital advertising business; the Whereis® digital mapping business; the Citysearch® entertainment and lifestyle website; the sensis.com.au search engine; the 1234 operator-assisted, premium voice information service; and the accommodation website gostay.com.au. Sensis is also a partner in some of China's most popular websites including real estate and home furnishings website, SouFun.com; auto websites Autohome.com and Che168.com; and digital devices websites IT168.com and PCPop.com.cn.