Oztag was by far the most popular sport in Sutherland Shire over the summer season. Picture Facebook

Sutherland Shire residents certainly love their sport - not just as spectators, but as participants.

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More than 32,000 players were involved in organised sport over the 2025/26 season, with Oztag easily the most popular.

A Sutherland Shire Council report said Oztag had 13,458 participants.

Summer football (soccer) was second with 5914 players, followed by cricket (3082), basketball (2607), athletics (1698), touch football (1633), baseball (1390), pickleball (702), softball (512), cycling (491) and water polo (373).

The Cronulla U/9s Girls Oztag team were State champions in February 2026. Pictured with coach David Cavdarovski and manager Sasha Robinson (right) and assistant coach George Livanos (left). Picture supplied

The council tallied the numbers based on local sporting association data and not all sports are included.

The council manages 73 sporting facilities across the Shire and partners with local sporting organisations.

"The 2025/26 summer season spanned 27 weekends, during which Council worked to maintain field availability despite 67 recorded rain events," the report said.

"Across the season, no weekend rounds were fully cancelled due to inclement weather.

"Overall, the summer period recorded 557mm of rainfall, representing a one per cent increase on the 2024/25 summer season, alongside a one per cent increase in rain events."

The report said, during the summer season, all turf sporting fields underwent routine maintenance, including mowing, aeration, and the application of liquid fertiliser and herbicides.

"Council completed targeted weed spraying across 25 mapped turf fields and carried out top dressing and aeration on all sports fields."

Several major capital works upgrades were carried out.

"Recent initiatives include the Kareela Synthetic Fields Surface Renewal and LED sports floodlight upgrades enhancing the sporting experience for the community," the report said.

The council is developing a new sports strategy and implementation plan, which is due to be finalised by the end of 2026.

"In October and November 2025, a community survey was conducted through the Join the Conversation page, receiving more than 300 responses," the report said.