D.3Summary research question

(i)Mass participation

In addition, PESSYP, although discontinued, did contribute to increased participation. DfE surveys of PESSYP indicate that over the period 2003/04 to 2009/10 participation in PE and out-of-school sport increased, with 55% of pupils in years 1 to 13 participating in at least three hours of high quality PE and out-of-hours school sport in 2009/10. Between 2003/4 and 2007/8, participation was measured for two hours (increasing to three hours in 2008/9) with participation rates increasing from 62% to 90% during this period. The Sport Unlimited strand of PESSYP attracted 1.2 million young people, retaining nearly 82% of these young people. Evidence also indicates that around 300,000 young people's participation was sustained.

Places People Play, through Sportivate, has provided participation opportunities to almost 100,000 young people and is on target to achieve the milestones set. This coupled with School Games, which has over 13,600 schools registered, provides on-going participation opportunities especially given that both Sportivate and School Games are due to run until 2015.

Other legacy initiatives, such as Premier League 4 Sport have provided participation opportunities to young people. Approximately 43,000 young people have been engaged by Premier League 4 Sport, almost double its target, with the programme extended in duration and incorporating additional sports. In addition, 63% of young people that were engaged were then retained (at least 5 sessions per term), with 27% of young people sustained (at least 10 sessions over two terms).

Many legacy initiatives have facilitated participation in sport and physical activity for the first time, with evidence indicating that this participation is sustained. A survey of Inspire project organisers indicated that their perception is that almost 75% of participants would sustain their involvement in sport after the project.

Other legacy programmes, such as Change4Life Sports Clubs, Walk4Life and Games4Life, have facilitated participation in sport and physical activity, with interim evaluation evidence indicating that this participation is being sustained. Walk4Life has reported that that physical activity levels increased by 0.73 days a week of moderate physical activity for more than 30 minutes for users registered more than 90 days and Change4Life Sports Clubs has reported over 61,000 young people participating with 90% of these choosing to play sport every week at the end of the first year (an increase of 40% when compared to data obtained when joining up). A survey of Inspire project organisers indicates that their perception is that almost 75% of participants would sustain their involvement in sport after the project.

The discontinued Free Swimming did facilitate an increase in participation, however limited additionality was estimated.

According to the latest Taking Part survey data, adult participation levels are the highest since 2005/6, with the following participation rates recorded:

Active sport participation in the last four weeks increased from 53.7% in 2005/6 to 55.2% in 2011/12;

1x30 minute sessions of moderate intensity sport in the last week increased from 41.2% in 2005/6 to 43.8% in 2011/12;

3x30 minute sessions of moderate intensity sport in the last week increased from 23.2% in 2005/6 to 25.9% in 2011/12.

The increase in the active sport in the last four weeks measure, which had remained relatively flat between 2005/06 and 2010/11, suggests that the programmes may have taken time to become embedded and to result in noticeable changes across participation.

Taking Part also gives initial evidence of additionality, with 7.3% of those participating in sport and recreational physical activity indicating the Games have motivated them to do more.

When available, evaluations of Places People Play and School Games will provide further insight into the impact of these initiatives on mass participation. In addition, monitoring the longer term trends (through Taking Part for example) will also indicate the extent to which participation increases have been sustained.

In addition to participation-related initiatives, increased participation is also impacted by facilities and softer infrastructure such as coaching, volunteering and club membership. Significant investment at the regional and national level will contribute to creating the foundation for a mass participation legacy.

(ii)Competitive School Sport

Monitoring data from the School Games initiative indicates that over 13,600 schools have registered, exceeding the target of 12,000, with 31 competition formats at intra-school and inter-school level developed. In addition, these impacts are realised regionally, with schools from throughout England registered. Level 4 of School Games involves the nations as well. Given that this programme runs until 2015, it has and will continue to provide competitive opportunities for young people, with the foundation laid by PESSYP and other initiatives facilitating this.

School Games, building on the system created by PESSYP and facilitated by other legacy participation programmes should continue to increase the involvement of young people in competitive school sport. The extent to which this has been realised will be further assessed once the evaluation of School Games is available.

(iii)Elite Sport

The performance of UK athletes in World Championships and major international events in 2011 compared favourably with the equivalent performances in 2007 which preceded the highly successful Beijing medal performance. Results from the 2012 Games show that GB exceeded its medals targets in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Team GB finished in third place in the medals table at the 2012 Games, exceeding its medal target by 17 medals (35%). This is an improvement of one position on 2008 and seven positions on 2004 and 2000 when it finished in tenth place. Results from the Paralympic Games show a total GB medal count of 120 which was in excess of the target set of 103 although GB's ranking in the medal table fell from second place in Beijing 2008 to third.