Recreation Study

FIGURE 7: YOUNG SPORTS FAN AT RECREATION FESTIVAL IN MITCHELLS PLAIN (SOURCE: SRA)Barriers & Motivationsto Participation10The following chapter discusses barriers and motivations to participate in sportand recreation.The previous chapters touched on many of the barriersthat prevent or discourage Cape Town residents fromparticipating in sport and recreation. These include:• The habit or tendency to not engage in physicalactivities when bored.• The perception of good personal health eventhough most people are not regularly engaging inphysical exercise.• Low memberships to gyms, sports clubs and teams.• Lack of knowledge about City programmes andnegative perceptions of City programmes.• Lack of access to facilities and negative perceptionsof facilities.• Lack of interaction with recreation staff andnegative perceptions of recreation staff.On the flip side, the chapters also revealed some of thefactors that motivate people to participate in sportand recreation. These include:• Relatively high levels of participation in certainsports and recreation activities.• Positive experiences with City programmes.• Positive perceptions of community facilities.• Positive perceptions of recreation staff.The following chapter explores in more depth thebarriers and motivations to participation in sport andrecreational activities for residents in Cape Town.RESEARCH REPORT JANUARY 201171