Abstract

A study conducted in 1985 by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation revealed that 35 of the female population of Northwestern Ontario participated in organized sports and a 2:1 male to female ratio existed in organized sports participation. These findings are extended to the female high school population of whom only 46.8 percent voluntarily participate in physical education classes between grades 10 and 13. The purpose of this study was to examine the sport choices of females (N = 807) attending high school in Northwestern Ontario and their reasons for not participating. High school physical education teachers (N = 7) in Northwestern Ontario were surveyed regarding their opinions of sport participation among female high school students. The findings revealed that the girls participated in unorganized sport significantly more than organized sport (89.7 percent versus 55.5 percent respectively). Girls participated in organized club sports most frequently (66.5), followed by interschool (63.7) and intramural (23.0). The most popular organized sports for female high school students were volleyball, basketball and track and field, and the most popular unorganized sports were swimming, biking, running and skiing. Three most frequently mentioned reasons for not participating in both organized and unorganized sports were other interests, lack of time, and no interest. Physical educators gave numerous reasons why more girls did not get involved in organized sport and suggest ways to increase the number of girls involved. Verf.-Ref