Rugby League may be the most popular sport in New South Wales, but the Sydney Swans are the state’s overall favourite team, according to the Sensi® 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 NRL followers were split between many teams, making the one NSW-based AFL team the most popular overall.

“Our research suggests the Sydney Swans are the most popular team in NSW, followed by the St George Dragons, the Australian Cricket team and the Parramatta Eels.

“However, the football code rivalry, which also includes soccer, appears to be strong for NSW, reflecting the state’s love for sport.

“Not only do NSW residents have the greatest interest in sport, it appears they place the most importance on it,” Ms Singh noted.

The report suggests eight in 10 people in NSW are interested in sport, the highest rate in Australia. Of these, four in 10 said their favourite sport played a very important part in their lives, making people in NSW by far the most passionate about sport.

Favourite sports in NSW (percentage of people nominated sport):

• NRL (18 per cent)
• Soccer (13 per cent)
• Cricket (12 per cent)
• Tennis (eight per cent)
• Australian Rules (seven per cent)
• Swimming (six per cent)
• Rugby Union (four per cent)
• Golf (four per cent)
• Netball (three per cent)
• Surfing (3 per cent).

Approximately three quarters of people in New South Wales currently (44 per cent) or used to (32 per cent) play their favourite sport, while approximately one quarter have never played (24 per cent) their favourite sport.

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.