Basketball popularity exploding across Melbourne's fringe
Basketball is king of the 'burbs when it comes to the most popular sports Victorians want to play.
Aussie rules has been slam dunked by the popular American pastime, which has exploded in popularity across Melbourne's fringe.
And with a whopping 35 per cent of Australia's registered players living in Melbourne's southeast corridor, basketball chiefs have warned there's no stopping the boom.
"It is truly international," Basketball Victoria CEO Wayne Bird said.
"The sport offers pathways to world championships and Olympics for all athletes.
"It's family orientated and can be played all year round and anywhere from a basketball stadium, to the ring above a garage door."
It's hoped a state basketball centre at Knox, set for completion next year, will help accommodate the huge appeal of the game in Melbourne's east.
The Australian Sports Commission's Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey showed more than 230,000 Victorians aged 15 and over squeeze into their trainers and run onto the basketball court every week, with soccer attracting more than 228,000 participants.
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But it also revealed Victoria's love for footy hadn't abated, pulling in 220,000 participants.
Sport Minister James Merlino said Victorians were as active as ever.
"Our local grassroots sporting clubs are the heart and soul of our communities," Mr Merlino said.
"The latest report shows that Victorian sport remains strong - whether it's our indigenous game of Aussie rules, or netball, basketball, golf, soccer and cricket."
Nationally, soccer topped the poll with the biggest jump in popularity - up 52 per cent since 2001.
The biggest increase in the sport occurred during 2007 and '08.
But Aussie rules wasn't far behind with a 38 per cent increase for the same period.
The survey showed football participation declined between 2005 and 2007, but increased from 2008 and 2009.
But in a sign the simple things are often the best, walking ranked the most popular recreational activity in Victoria with 1.5 million participants.
Aaron Langmaid - Herald Sun
