Cricket in Australia
In 2007, "The Age" reported that a survey by Sweeney Sports had found that 69% of the Australian public have an interest in cricket, second to none. Cricket is often known as Australia's national sport due to its equal popularity in all parts of the country. Cricket is also a mass participation sport in Australia: a census conducted on behalf of Cricket Australia found that in the 2003–04 season there were 471,329 participants in Australian cricket programmes and competitions, including 47,780 female participants.
In 2015–16, a record 1,300,000 Australians played formal, organised cricket during the year, an increase of nine percent over the previous year, making cricket Australia's biggest participant sport.
Western Australian Grade Cricket
WA Premier Cricket in Western Australia refers to the semi-professional cricket league played at a level below the first-class Western Warriors and other state teams. The competition is administered by the Western Australian Cricket Association. It is the premier club cricket competition in Western Australia and players vying for Western Warriors and national team selection are typically chosen from Premier Cricket competition clubs. Retiring international and first-class players wishing to continue playing will generally return to their original Premier Cricket club. There are currently 16 teams in the competition.