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2017
Elements
of Engagement
Sport Wales has commissioned and undertaken a multitiude of
quantitative and qualitative research projects to help us
understand why some people frequently take part in sport, while
others remain inactive or drop out. The findings of these projects
consistently point to five broad areas that are essential for
initiating and sustaining participation. Considered collectively
these five inter-related 'elements' explain why participation in
sport continues to vary so significantly across our population.
The following evidence review was undertaken by the 'Institute
for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure (ISPAL) on behalf of Sport
Wales in order to retrieve and explore published literature
that relates to each of the five 'Elements of Engagement' and to
produce a set of recommendations that can be used to inform future
research and practice in Wales:
Evidence
Review
Calls 4 Action Evaluation
Calls for Action ('C4A') was developed in 2012 to address groups
underrepresented in sports participation. The overarching
objectives are focused on positive action, encouraging new
approaches, and increasing regular and frequent sporting activity
in Wales.
C4A is being independently evaluated over three years in real
time, with ongoing feedback and learning. Beyond the headline
numbers, the aim is to assess what impacts are being achieved and
how, the character and degree of innovation, and the lessons for
Sport Wales as well as front line practice.
Phase 1 Impact
Report
Phase 2 Process
Report
Phase 2 First Interim Impact Report
2016
Evaluation of the Physical Literacy Programme for
Schools
The Centre for Sport, Physical Education & Activity Research
(SPEAR) was commissioned from October 2014 to March 2016 to conduct
an independent evaluation of the Physical Literacy Programme for
Schools (PLPS) and Physical Literacy Framework (PLF).
Executive Summary
Final Report
Site visit Case
Studies
2015
School
Sport Survey 2015: State of the Nation report
Protecting
Playing Fields in Wales - Guidance notes on the long-term
protection of Recreation Land
Understanding
participation and non-participation in sport amongst Black and
minority ethnic groups in Wales
Sport Wales commissioned the 'Institute of Sport, Physical
Activity and Leisure' (in conjunction with Ecorys) to undertake a
qualitative research project with a range of Black and minority
ethnic communities across Wales.
The research aimed to provide greater insight into the
underlying reasons for ethnic disparities in sports participation
and a richer understanding of the daily lives,
circumstances and experiences of those from minority ethnic
communities. Based upon these findings the report provides
recommendations for increasing and sustaining participation.
Briefing
Paper
Full Report
Sport
and Education: Evidence Paper
There have been many claims that taking part in physical
education and sport can have a positive impact on the behaviour and
attendance of school pupils, their self-esteem, their level of
confidence, their ability to demonstrate positive social behaviours
(in and out of education) and importantly, in terms of the
influence sport and PE can have on overall academic achievements.
This paper examines the scientific evidence and the weight of the
case behind these claims. It considers both the range of critically
reviewed academic literature from around the world as well as the
evidence from Wales itself from the School Sport Survey and Active
Adults Survey.
Sport and
Health: Evidence Paper
Sport Wales has produced an evidence paper which explores
sport's role in advancing population health and stemming demand on
the NHS as part of a prudent health approach. The paper sets out
the strengths and limitations of sport as a vehicle for improving
the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the Welsh population,
and suggests how sport's health potential can most effectively be
realised. The paper brings together evidence from a wide range of
peer reviewed research articles as well as incorporating original
analysis from Sport Wales' 2012 Active Adult Survey.
2014
Calls for Action Equality Factsheets
Four factsheets have been produced that highlight levels of
sports participation in Wales according to people's ethnicity,
gender, disability and poverty. Using data from the School
Sport Survey 2013 and Active Adults 2012, we outline what we know
about equality, current levels of participation, barriers and
attitudes to sport.
Calls for
Action - Women and Girls Factsheet
Calls
for Action - BME Factsheet
Calls
for Action - Disability Factsheet
Calls
for Action - Poverty Factsheet
Active Adults Survey
2012
The Active Adults survey is the main source of data on incidence
of sports participation, sports club membership and other
sport-related issues amongst adults in Wales. The survey is
done face to face, with an interviewer visiting the person at their
home. The sample size was 13,145 and the survey was carried out
with randomly chosen adults (aged 15+).
The survey, which is usually biennial, has been conducted since
1987/88 and provides a wealth of tracking data on sports
participation in Wales. As well as questions on sports
participation, the survey includes questions on sports club
membership, coaching and volunteering. The Active Adults
Survey forms a vital part of the evidence base Sport Wales requires
to understand the motivations, barriers and unmet demand for sports
participation amongst adults in Wales and to assess and prioritise
its work and that of its partners. It is used to help set our
strategic priorities in forthcoming years and shape sport, health
and education policies.
The most recent Active Adults Survey took place in 2012 and is
the first available data on adult participation since 2008/9. This
report outlines the main findings.
2013
School Sport Survey
2013
The School Sport Surveytook place in the summer term of 2013.
The data from this survey enables us and our partners to
strategically monitor and track trends in sports participation and
the provision of Physical Education (PE) and school sport. This
provides a base of evidence from which to shape sports policy and
practice.
In the 2013 survey, 109,500 pupils from Years
3-11, and 1,060 teachers (generally the Head of PE in secondary
school and the PE coordinator in primary school) completed a
questionnaire, making this the largest UK survey of young people
and sport to date. This paper presents an overview of what
the data is telling us about PE provision and sports participation
in Wales.
Our Vision sets out clear priorities for sport in Wales.
We want a Wales whereevery child is hooked on sport for
lifeand we havea nation of champions. The Active Adults
Survey forms a vital part of the evidence base Sport Wales requires
to assess and to prioritise its work and that of its partners.
The survey also helps Sport Wales to understand the
motivations, barriers and unmet demand for sports participation
amongst adults in Wales, as well as patterns of non-participation.
In addition, it informs the performance management of and by
partners at local, regional and national levels and gives Sport
Wales the opportunity to update its segmentation tools. The
survey data is used by other key users, such as local authorities,
National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs), as well as other policy
makers and practitioners in, for example sport, leisure and
culture, health, education, and transport.
Lesbian,
Gay and Bisexual (LGB) People in Sport: Understanding LGB sports
participation in Wales
This report is the result of a partnership
between Sport Wales and Stonewall Cymru, and is evidence of the
benefits of sharing different expertise and knowledge.
Lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals living in Wales were invited
to share their views about sport by taking part in focus groups,
semi-structured interviews or completing an online survey.
The survey did not just ask questions about frequency and
type of sport participation, but also asked about barriers to
participation and personal experiences of sport.
This report presents the research findings and
provides an insight into how lesbian, gay and bisexual people take
part in sport, or indeed why they sometimes choose not
to.
2012
Sports participation amongst 14-21 year olds - how do we encourage
young people to stay involved in sport?
Sport Wales commissioned Brightpurpose to undertake
qualitative research with young people aged 14-21, both males and
females, to understand the issues that affect sports
participation. The purpose of the research was to:
« explore the factors that affect drop out in sport,
from a Welsh perspective
« move beyond simply understanding the
issues, to find practical solutions and interventions to help
retain young people in sport
« inform a campaign by Sport Wales to
influence key decision makers about why young people - especially
young females - drop out of sport
This report presents the results.
Attitudes
to School Sport. November 2012
This short paper summarises findings from the School Sport
Survey and supporting qualitative research on young people's
attitudes to school sport.
People Segmentation: area differences.
June 2012.
This short paper sets out differences between the people
segmentation profiles of the regions and local authorities of
Wales.
School Sport Survey 2011: The State of the
Nation. April 2012.
The first School Sport Survey took place in the summer term of
2011. Building on twenty years of Sport Wales surveys on young
people's participation in sport, and school-based provision of
sport, the data from this survey enables us and our partners to
strategically monitor and track trends in Physical Education (PE)
and school sport, and provide a base from which to shape sports
policy and practice.
Thriving Clubs: evidence
to support the Community Sport Strategy. April
2012.
Increasing rates of sports club membership will require clubs to
engage with a broader base of participants: more women and girls,
more people from 'lower' social grades, more people seeking
recreational opportunities to take part in sport, and more
participants beyond the most able.
In this research summary, we explore how this might conflict
with clubs' current goals, and set out why better coordinated local
support will be required if we are to meet our aspiration to
develop larger, stronger and thriving clubs.
Local Decisions: evidence
to support the Community Sport Strategy. April
2012.
When at school, most young people express demand for more
opportunities to participate in sport. Yet by the time they reach
adulthood, over half will stop demanding sport of any type. If we
are to achieve our aspiration of hooking every child on sport for
life, it will not be enough to meet existing demand.
We argue in this research summary that we can only achieve our
aspiration of hooking every child on sport for life by decentralise
the structures of Welsh sport, take decision-making closer to our
diverse communities, and cultivate a desire to participate in sport
amongst all people in Wales.
Quality Education:
evidence to support the Community Sport
Strategy. April 2012.
In this summary, we set out the challenge for the sporting
sector in Wales as we strive to hook every child on sport for life.
Using data from the recentSchool Sport Survey 2011, we demonstrate
that enjoyment of Physical Education (PE) and school sport declines
as young people move into secondary school, particularly amongst
girls, with a resulting drop-off in participation rates. Most
teachers, meanwhile, believe that more time devoted to PE is needed
in order to provide the required quality of education.
Committed Workforce:
evidence to support the Community Sport Strategy.
April 2012.
We know that volunteers are vital to the continued success of
Welsh sport. The challenge of recruiting the workforce we need to
meet the aims of the Community Sport Strategyis a tough one,
however. In this summary, we show that the existing workforce is
dominated at all levels by men, that sport needs to be more
proactive in reaching out to potential volunteers, and that a
workforce which better focuses on customers is required in order to
meet the needs of participants.
Appropriate Facilities:
evidence to support the Community Sport
Strategy. April 2012.
Facilities are a vital element in inspiring participants and
creating opportunities to take part in sport. Wales has a generally
good range of provision in terms of built facilities, an excellent
network of national regional facilities, and superb natural
facilities for sport. Many facilities, however, are nearing the end
of their lifespan and do not meet users' expectations.
This research summary sets out the implications of this for
stretched local authority budgets, how some authorities are seeking
to manage their facilities, and the need for better programming and
stronger links to support sports clubs.
Child Poverty: a research
summary. April 2012.
This research summary shows that there is apoverty of
aspirationamongst young people in deprived communities. Not only
are they less likely to participate in sport (particularly in
sports clubs), they are less likely to express demand for most
sports, and are less likely to have people around them who take
part in sport.
Evidence to support the Community Strategy for
Sport. April 2012.
In December 2011, Sport Wales commissioned a stakeholder
consultation exercise to explore to explore five key priority areas
that had been set out in the draft strategy. This work was
undertaken by Brightpurpose Consulting, supplementing wider
consultation activity undertaken by Sport Wales. Also included in
the consultation exercise were a series of focus groups to explore
the issues faced by sports clubs and volunteers in developing and
maintain sports clubs across Wales.
2011
Mentro Allan/Venture Out: Lived Experiences of Physical
Activity in Outdoor Environments. July 2011.
The Mentro Allan programme aimed to learn about the most
effective ways to support sedentary people to develop the habit of
physical activity in the natural environment. The projects had a
range of target groups: young people, older people, women, BME
(Black and Minority Ethnic) communities, people with physical
disabilities, mental health service users, carers, people at risk
of rural isolation, people with low incomes.
Commissioned by the Mentro Allan National Partnership, led by
Sport Wales, a research group from the University of Bath and the
Countryside & Community Research Institute undertook in-depth
research within the programme over its final two years. Their
report explores how people can become more active and how
organisations can support them to achieve this, as well as the
effect of an activity's outdoor location on participation and
participants' experiences.
Active Young People Survey 2009: headline
results. March 2011.
Active Young People Survey 2009:
FAQs. March 2011.
The 2009 survey was undertaken by Wavehill Consulting, in
conjunction with the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen)
and Snap Surveys. The fieldwork took place between June and July in
2009. Every maintained school in Wales was invited to
participate and pupils from each year group were asked to complete
the questionnaire. The survey covered Years 3-6 in primary
school and Years 7-11 in secondary school.
Over 15,000 pupils completed the survey from 416 schools
across Wales. 8,093 were from primary schools and 7,098 from
secondary schools. 84 secondary schools took part (38% of the total
number of secondary schools in Wales) and 328 primary schools
(24%).
Physical Activity, Extracurricular Sport and the
'5x60' Initiative: Leisure Lifestyles and Young People in Wales,
2007-2009. March 2011.
Sport Wales funded a PhD bursary in partnership with the Cardiff
School of Sport, UWIC (now Cardiff Metropolitan University) to
undertake research into young people's experiences of the 5x60
secondary school programme.
Four theoretical themes emerged from the research, undertaken by
Anna Leyshon: a young person-centred approach; the young people's
leisure lifestyles; the heterogeneity of the young people; and
gender. There were also two overriding operational themes; the
social contact with the officer, and the experience of the club /
activity. The influence of all of these varied according to the
group of young people, the effect of school locality; and
individual characteristics (specifically, the effect of a Welsh
language school).
5x60 Case Studies
While undertaking this research with young people there emerged
seven particularly interesting case studies that highlighted one or
more of the '5x60' objectives, which were to:
1) Provide additional physical activity extracurricular
opportunities by targeting those currently not involved in school
sport, school team sport and / or PE;
2) Recruit, support and retain volunteers i.e., parents, and
develop young leaders, and;
3) Establish partnerships with the community, local clubs and
further / higher education colleges (SCW 2006)
These case studies present individual / group narratives that
highlight where these objectives were achieved, helping to
demonstrate some of the specific issues and experiences of the
programme.
Workplace physical activity in Wales: final
evaluation report. March 2011.
This report presents findings from our evaluation of workplace
physical activity initiatives in Wales, funding by our Active
Workplace Challenge Fund. The evaluation was aimed at demonstrating
the effectiveness of the programme in raising levels of physical
activity amongst employees, and improving our understanding of the
potential for such initiatives to impact on the physical activity
levels of the Welsh adult population as a whole.
Workplace physical activity in Wales: a guide for
practitioners. March 2011.
Alongside the evaluation report, we produced a guide for those
aiming to develop physical activity initiatives in their workplace.
The guide presents practical tips at all stages of project
development, as well as specific tips for different types of
interventions.
Incidence and interest in workplace sport and
physical recreation initiatives in Wales. February
2011.
Alongside the evaluation Interim findings from the evaluation of
workplace physical activity initiatives in Wales, we funded a
survey of Welsh adults to assess the overall picture in Wales. NI
this report, we establish to what extent opportunities exist for
employees to take part in workplace sport and physical recreation
and which types of people are more likely to take part. We also
examine the potential for workplace activity to increase
participation, and investigate the barriers to participation in
such activities.
The Value of Sports Volunteering in
Wales. January 2011.
This short research paper sets out the economic value of sports
volunteering in Wales.
2010
Sports Volunteering in Wales: a research
summary. September 2010.
Drawing together findings from the Active Adults Survey 2008-09,
and a qualitative follow-up study of 'Sports Volunteering in Wales'
undertaken in early 2010, we set out the current profile of Welsh
sport's volunteer workforce: who they are, what they do, and why
they do it. We also examine how and why they got involved in
volunteering, and what we can do to attract more people into sports
volunteering.
Demand for Provision of Welsh-language Sport
Amongst Adults. September 2010.
In this report, we assess the demand amongst adults in Wales,
for sporting activities delivered through the medium of Welsh. The
relative importance of language in the overall quality of
participants' experience is considered, along with practical issues
concerning coaching provision, marketing and the views on non-Welsh
speakers.
Review of Dragon Sport. August
2010.
Dragon Sport is a Sport Wales initiative designed to offer 7-11
year olds fun and enjoyable sporting opportunities, outside the
school curriculum and in the community. Arad Consulting were
commissioned to undertake a review of the programme around its 10
year anniversary. The review draws on information gathered through
consultations and semi-structured interviews with teachers, Dragon
Sports Coordinators, Sports Development Managers and National
Governing Body officials.
Review of Local Authority Partnership
Agreements. August 2010.
In October 2009, we commissioned a review of Local Authority
Partnership Agreements (LAPAs), in order to assess the
implementation of the process to date, and to inform the future
development of the LAPAs relation to policy directives and
increasing flexibility for local decision-making. The Wales Audit
Office (WAO) undertook the review on our behalf.
Sports Volunteering in Wales. May
2010.
How do we get more people into volunteering in sport? Based on
interviews with more than 100 coaches, volunteers, participants,
and others interested in becoming volunteers, this report examines
why people choose to volunteer, the barriers they face in doing so,
and how they can be supported to improve their experiences, as well
as the experiences of participants.
Active Adults Survey 2008-09: Headline
Results. March 2010.
Active Adults Survey 2008-09: Headline Results by
Sport. March 2010.
These reports set out the key findings from the Active Adults
Survey 2008-09, covering trends in overall participation, sports
club membership and volunteering amongst Welsh adults.
PE Provision in Welsh Schools: Headline
findings. March 2010.
PE
Provision in Welsh Schools: Qualitative Phase. March
2010.
The PE Provision Survey monitors the delivery of physical
education and sport in Welsh schools, providing a wealth of trend
data that helps us monitor progress and identify gaps in provision.
All maintained schools, excluding special schools, are asked to
take part in the survey every two years. The survey is completed by
PE Coordinators in primary schools and Heads of PE in secondary
schools.
This paper presents the survey findings on the
following headline measures: time allocated for PE in the
curriculum; extracurricular time provided by teachers; sports and
activities offered.
To further understand issues around the provision of Physical
Education (PE) and sport in Wales schools, Sport Wales commissioned
a qualitative study of secondary school Heads of PE and primary
school PE Coordinators. Themes included: the provision of PE and
extracurricular sport and its relative importance to schools, as
well as facilities and the value of PE and School Sport (PESS)
Development Centres.
Workplace physical activity in Wales: literature
review. January 2010.
As part of its programme of evaluation of workplace physical
activity initiatives in Wales, Sport Wales commissioned an
'umbrella review' of literature, to gather evidence on the effects
of workplace initiatives on health and physical activity levels
amongst employees.
2009
Evaluation of Welsh-language Sports Development
Pilot Projects. November 2009.
Developing new bilingual sporting activities requires a
collective approach. In this report, we detail findings from three
pilot projects involving a range of partners, including local
authorities, to deliver new opportunities for people to take part
in sport bilingually.
Young People's Participation in Sport.
September 2009.
Sport Wales has conducted biennial surveys into
participation in sport and physical activity by young people aged
11-16 in Welsh secondary schools since 1999. The survey is a means
of monitoring this progress and can identify gaps where there is a
need to focus more attention. Results from the latest survey,
conducted in the autumn term of 2006, are presented in this
report.
Netting a Winner. September
2009.
A good practice guide to asking children and young people about
sport and physical activity, and tackling ways to question children
online.
Adult Participation in Sport. August 2009.
This publication aims to provide a broad outline of the results
of the Adult Participation Survey
including: participation levels; sports club
membership; levels of health-related physical activity; perceived
barriers to participation; rates of
participation in leisure activities that are not
sport-related and volunteering in sport.
A systematic review of the Literature on Black and
Minority Ethnic Communities in Sport and Physical
Recreation. July 2009.
The commitment of the UK Sports Councils to ensuring equality of
opportunity in sport and physical recreation across all groups in
society is reflected in the development and implementation of the
Equality Standard for Sport and other initiatives to encourage
governing bodies and other delivery agencies to address inequality
and promote participation and inclusion.
In order to inform their policy and practice in this area, the
Carnegie Research Institute were invited to carry out an
independent review of what is known about participation in sport
and physical recreation by Black and Minority Ethnic (BME)
communities in the United Kingdom, and to identify how
participation opportunities for these communities might be extended
and improved. The review was commissioned by Sport Wales alongside
the other Sports Councils of the UK and Sporting Equals.
2008
Market Segmentation: Regional
Differences. December 2008.
Presents an overview of the market segmentation profile within
each of the three Sport Wales regional office areas. The
analysis details differences between local authority areas, as well
as broad patterns within and across local authority boundaries.
The Economic Importance of Sport in
Wales. October 2008.
This publication aims to provide a 'snapshot' of the role and
significance of sport in Wales and summarises the key indicators
for the economic importance of sport in Wales. It also provides
some trend data across previous surveys together with comparisons
with the UK.
Children's Participation in Sport and Physical Activity
in 2006. March 2008.
The seventh in a series of surveys designed to monitor
participation in physical activities among young people aged 11-16
in Welsh secondary schools. This survey is a means of monitoring
the progress and can identify gaps where there is a need to focus
more attention. Results from the latest survey are presented in
this report, and cover curricular activities, extra-curricular
activities, school sport and competition, and sports
clubs and leisure centre usage.
2007
Girls First: Secondary School Sport for Girls.
March 2007.
This report summarises the findings from an ongoing evaluation
of the Girls first programme. It discusses the rationale for Girls
First and examines the evidence from Sports Council for Wales'
surveys and other research to show the gender gap between
extra-curricular sports participation among girls and boys.
PE Provision in Primary Schools.
2007.
This report presents the findings from the fourth in a series of
studies of physical education in primary schools across Wales,
based on Key Stage 2 provision in the academic year 2004/05. Issues
covered include the resources and provision made available for
curricular PE, curriculum activities offered, availability and
perceived quality of school sports facilities, and the resources
and delivery of extra-curricular PE provision.
PE Provision in Secondary Schools.
2007.
This report presents findings from the eighth in a series of
surveys designed to collect information on sports provision in
Welsh Secondary schools. Issues covered include the resources and
provision made available for curricular PE, curriculum activities
offered, availability and quality of school sport facilities,
extra-curricular sports provision and the provision of examination
PE.