The value of sport

The value of sport monitor is an online resource of the most up-to-date critical reviews of published research evidence on the contribution of sport to a range of broader social issues (psychological health, social capacity and cohesion, crime reduction and community safety, lifelong participation, economic impact, physical fitness and health, and education and lifelong learning). Sport England has recently published a summary of the evidence based on the key themes above. To view summaries of the evidence, click here.

Active People Survey 2 results

On 11 December 2008, Sport England released headline results from the second year of the Active People Survey, Active People Survey 2. The survey was conducted between mid October 2007 and mid October 2008 and involved interviewing 191,000 adults (age 16 and over) in England. The results highlight data from Active People Survey 2 with comparisons to the first year of the survey, Active People Survey 1 (2005/6) . More.

Further data from Active People Survey 2 was published in February 2009 which highlights sport specific results, comparing participation in 2005/6 to 2007/8. The results indicate the sports that have grown participation over the two year period and among which demographic groups. More.

A review of sexual orientation in sport

In December 2008, Sport England, with the other UK Sports Councils, published a review of what is known about sexual orientation in sport. This review of sexual orientation in sport was commissioned by sportscotland, UK Sport, Sport Northern Ireland and Sport England, in order to inform equality impact assessments, support the implementation of the sports councils’ equality schemes and inform the advice given by these agencies on developing sports participation among those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual (LGBT) and on tackling homophobia in sport.
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Sport Facts

Sport England has recently published detailed sport information packs, which bring together data from the Active People Survey, the Taking Part Survey, and Sport England's market segmentation.

Each pack includes information on the following: participation rates in each sport across key demographic groups, participation by region, the profile of sports participants, the segments most likely to participate in the sport, young people's participation (11-15 year olds), seasonal variation in participation, drop off in participation by age, latent demand, growth by sport, and participation in organised sport.

These packs have been prepared primarily to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport in the development of their 2009-2013 plans but provide a detailed overview of sports facts relevant to all in the sports sector. More


Research on the quality of the sporting experience

Sport England has published three qualitative research studies which were undertaken between January and May 2008. The research looked at the following three themes: understanding the quality of the sporting experience, reasons for lapses in sports participation, and understanding how to increase participation in club based sport. More


The Sport England Research eBulletin

The Sport England research team has developed a new online alert service which will keep you informed of recent and forthcoming research developments. This bulletin is part of our continuing commitment to find improved ways to disseminate research findings. If you would like to receive the research bulletin, email: research@sportengland.org


Sport England market segmentation

Sport England has developed nineteen sporting segments to help us understand the nations’ attitudes and motivations – why they play sport and why they don’t. Sport England market segmentation provides those working in community sport an insight into the sporting behaviours and the barriers and motivations to taking part amongst our existing participants and those we wish to engage in sport.
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The Taking Part Survey

The Taking Part Survey is a national cross-cultural survey, comissioned by DCMS (The Department for Culture, Media and Sport), which includes data on the following sectors: Sport, Heritage, the Arts, and Museums, Libraries & Archives. The survey started in July 2005 and will run continuously for three years.

The Active Sport element of the Taking Part Survey measures adult (16 plus) participation in sport amongst key demographic groups; looks at attitudinal data such as levers and barriers to participating in sport, and other information around volunteering, socialisation and spectatorship of sport.

On the 10 May 2007, the Taking Part Annual Report was published. To find out more click here

The Taking Part Survey also has a childrens element - The Taking Part Children's Survey. This involves interviewing approximately 3,000 11-15 year olds each year to establish thier levels of sporting and cultural engagement. The first years results from the Taking Part Childrens Survey were published on the 25 October 2007. More info


Sport and the economy

Sport England has recently published a series of reports which aim to improve the evidence-base on the economic value of sport. The reports, published in January 2008, review the economic importance of sport in the English regions and in England as a whole. The reports focus on sport-related economic activity, employment in sport, and sport-related consumer expenditure.

To view the reports, click here.

In order to develop this area of sports research, Sport England has appointed the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University as a Collaborating Centre for Sport and the Economy for three years to 2008.

To find out more about the Sport England Research Collaborating Centre for Sport and the Economy , click here