Equity in sport

The Framework for Sport in England, published in 2004, set out the strategic direction and policy priorities for sport in England. Within the Framework, sports equity and variations in access were identified as key drivers of change. Participation rates in sport display inequity across a range of indicators including those relating to gender, ethnicity and disability.

Equity and research

Sports equity is a high priority in all aspects of Sport England's research from research design, to implementation of research and in reporting of outcomes.

Much of the focus of Sport England's research is on identifying and understanding better the inequities in sporting opportunity that exist amongst different groups in the population and the ways in which these may be overcome.

Careful consideration is given in the design of all research projects to ensure that, wherever practicable, research explores the issues that impact specifically upon women, ethnic minorities, people with a disability and people in lower socio-economic groups.

Given the imperative of driving up participation it is crucial for Sport England to provide evidence that it understands the needs of those groups who are under-represented in their participation, and that interventions are making a difference for these groups.

The Sport England research team are running a programme of research entitled 'understanding participation' which aims to evaluate why people in certain 'hard to reach' groups do not participate and ways in which interventions can motivate behavior change and reduce the barriers. Key transition stages have been examined such as; recently retired people; 15-19 year old young women and lone parents.

Some examples of Sport England research which demonstrate our commitment to equity:

Understanding participation in sport: What determines participation among 15 to 19 year old women? 2006

Understanding participation in sport: What determines participation among recently retired people? 2006

Sports Equity Index 2002

Sports participation and ethnicity: a national survey 1999/2000

Disabled adults participation in sport 2000/2001

Disabled young peoples participation in sport 2000/2001