Understanding Participation in Sport (2004)
In 2004, The University of Oxford undertook a review of existing qualitative research evidence around understanding participation in sport.
 Understanding Participation in sport |
Review of Sexual Orientation in Sport
In December 2008, Sport England, with the other UK Sports Councils, published a review of sexual orientation in sport. The purpose of this study was to review and critique the literature on sexual orientation in sport and to investigate issues relating to sexual orientation and sports participation.
| Sexual Orientation_review final report |
| Sexual Orientation in sport summary |
Shaping Places through Sport
These 5 papers are aimed at policymakers and practitioners who are looking to use the ‘power of sport’ to help shape their local areas and to advocate the value of sport with partners to deliver local objectives.
| Building communities |
| Creating safer communities |
| Executive Summary |
| Healthier communities |
| Transforming Lives |
Sport England,Department of Health and Healthy by Nature:Establishing baseline data with regards to health related activity in the workplace-A report of findings following an audit of public sector organisations in the GOSE region,Healthy By Nature Consultancy Ltd; January 2008.
This study provides a comprehensive audit of workplace health measures across public sector organisations in the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) region. 112 organisations were identified and a total of 93 (83%) organisations gave response to a structured online survey within the given timeframe of two weeks. Organisations included; local authorities, acute/hospital trusts, primary care trusts and mental health trusts. The average size of each organisation was 3,046 employees. The audit was completed by human resources staff and other senior staff on behalf of the organisation to reflect experiences with regards to workplace health services and strategy.
| South East Public Sector Healthy Workplace Audit 2008 |
Sport and Physical Activity Amongst Recently Retired People
The aim of this research is to significantly improve our understanding of the determinants of participation in sport and physical activity, in order to better design interventions that will engage people in lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity. The outcomes from the research will contribute towards evidence based decision-making to influence national policy making on sport and physical activity, to inform the “culture shifts” to which almost all government documents refer and to lead to better and more effective investment in projects designed to increase and widen participation. Read document for more on this research.
| recently_retired full report Jan 2006 |
Understanding participation in sport: What determines sports participation among 15-19 year old women?
| full report_young women 2006 |
Henley Centre Research
Between January and May 2008, Sport England commissioned Henley Centre Headlight Vision (HCHLV) to undertake three qualitative research projects investigating:
1)The quality of the sporting experience
What aspects of sport are important to participants, what defines a good and bad sporting experience, what are the key drivers to a great sporting experience, and what is understood by ‘reaching potential’ in their sport?
2)Lapsed participants
What are the reasons for the drop-off in sports participation - why do people stop doing sport at certain points in their lives, and what might prevent them from lapsing?
3)Understanding participation in club based sport
What are the perceptions and appeal of taking part in organised sport - the triggers and barriers to club sport and sustained participation, and the responses to key communication and intervention ideas? This research was conducted among particular segments from Sport England’s market segmentation. Lifestyles within these segments were explored within the context of organised sport. Questions were also investigated around the perceived and actual barriers for people to ‘join a club’.
| Increasing participation |
| Lapsed participants |
| Quality of sporting experience |
Tracking Trends
Sport England analyses a wide range of data from national and regional surveys that measure our success in driving up participation in sport and physical activity.These papers include:
- The Active People Survey
- The Taking Part Survey 2007/8
- Taking Part Survey 2005
- Yorkshire Participation Survey 2005
- Lifestyle Sports 2005
- An audit of sport provision in Higher Education 2004
- Health Survey for England 2003
- Participation in sport 2002 (General Household Survey)
- General Household Survey 1996
- National Survey of Young People and Sport 2002
- National Survey of Younger People and Sport 1999
- Disabled Young People's Participation in Sport 2000/01
- Disabled Adults' Participation in Sport 2000/01
- Sports Participation and Ethnicity in England: national survey 1999/2000
- Sport Participation in Europe (COMPASS) 1999
To access these reports, please visit the Sport England pages through this link
www.sportengland.org/index/get_resources/research/tracking.htm
Evaluating Impact
This area of research focuses on the evaluation of projects, measuring standard KPI's (Key Performance Indicators) and detailed case studies of 'what works'. Papers include:
- Active England Final Evaluation Report 2009
- YMCA Activate England evaluation 2008
- Impact in 3D - A learning guide for practitioners in community sport and active recreation
- Everyday Swim Evaluation
- Active England Annual Report 2007
- Sport Action Zones 2006
- An academic review of the role of voluntary sports clubs 2005
- Positive Futures - Review 2002
- Training of Young athletes 1992
More information
The Value of Sport
This research focuses on the evidence supporting the wider social, economic and health benefits of sport and includes the Value of Sport Monitor and the economic value of sport studies. The Value of Sport Monitor provides an online monitoring service of the most up-to-date reference sources and critical reviews of published research evidence on the contribution of sport to a range of broader social issues (for example, psychological health and well-being, social capacity and cohesion, and education and lifelong learning). This section also contains research on the economic impact of sport. Read More..
Planning and Management Studies
This research is directed at improving the quality of facility planning and management. It contains information on the following:
- Synthetic Turf Pitch User Survey
- Condition & refurbishment of public sector sports facilities 2002
- A survey of the demand for indoor tennis centres 200/01
- Bowls - Supply and demand study 2000
- Development of performance indicators - LA Sports halls and swimming pools 1999
- Use and management of local authority halls and pools 1999
- Synthetic Pitches - Supply and demand study - 1998/99
More information
Modelling futures
Sport England carries out research which models the impact of sports participation. Many of the projects are based around 'blue skies' thinking and modelling of economic, social and health impact of different sporting scenarios. They range from modelling the economic impact of increasing participation in sport to the value of volunteers. Documents include:
- Economic Impact of achieving Game Plan (2004)
- Driving up participation: the challenge for sport 2004
More information