Value Categories for Australian Sport

Abstract

It is a frequently vaunted thesis that Australia, per head of population, is the most sports conscious nation on earth. Intensive participation in sport is believed to reflect elements of a national ethos which emphasizes achievement, competitive and status seeking endeavour in a framework of egalitarianism or fraternal concern. Earlier research indicates that attitudes towards sport are directly related to the degree of primary and secondary involvement. 130 respondents defined as having a primary involvement in sport were asked to rank 23 value categories. Analysis of variance yielded no statistically significant differences between categories. It was concluded that the major value - orientation of the sample was towards achievement competitive forms of endeavour in sport. This was seconded by collective social experience orientations. These results were taken to be indicative of 1) a pervasive cultural definition of such themes, 2) the perceived instrumental value with which activities are regarded.