Sports England has published the results of a survey which has found that the number of adults across Cumbria who regularly participate in sport and active recreation has increased, with the 55s and over showing the biggest growth spurt. This trend is reflected across other parts of England.
Early results of Sport England's second year of The Active People Survey show that the number of adults, aged 16 plus, participating in 30 minutes of moderate intensity sport or active recreation three times a week, has increased by 359,423 across England.
This is a rise of 4.8% in Cumbria against the results of the first quarter of the last Active People survey, giving Cumbria Sport Partnership the 5th biggest increase in participation across 49 county Sport Partnerships in England.
It was the 55s and over who contributed the biggest leap in participation in sport and active recreation, with a 1.3 per cent increase, from 10.9% to 12.2% nationally.
During the same period, men's participation in sport and active recreation increased by 1.1 per cent, from 21.5% to 22.6% nationally. There was no significant change in women's sport participation.
Across England, 34 sports have seen a significant growth in the proportion of people who have participated in their sport. The biggest increases were in people going to the gym followed by playing football (outdoor) and road running:
- Going to the gym increased by 0.7 per cent, from 9.9% to 10.6% of the adult population in England.
- The number of adults participating in football (outdoor) increased by 0.6 per cent from 4.8% to 5.4% and
- The figure for adults participating in road running increased by 0.5%, from 2.2% to 2.7% across England.
Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe MP said:
"It is encouraging that sports participation is on the rise across a whole range of sports. The over 55s are showing that you're never too old to take up sport and get active. It is testament to the hard work of sport providers in encouraging people to do just that. Of course there is still more that can be done and I would like to see more women getting out there and finding the sport for them."
Stewart Kellett, Regional Director for Sport England North West said:
"The latest results show participation in sport is moving in the right direction and is great news for Cumbria. It is a tribute to the innovative thinking and hard work of the sports sector that more and more people are motivated to take part in the county.
"The North West is one of the country’s leading sporting regions; we are fans and we take part in sport. The challenge now is get more of us in the North West into sport. We have great clubs, whether you’re into traditional sports like football, rugby and cricket or want to try taekwondo or triathlon. Superb events in our region like the recent cycling and swimming championships can inspire even more of us to take part whatever our ability."
Eddie Edge, Cumbria Sport Partnership Director said:
"It is great news for Cumbria that our participation in sport is increasing.
"This increase coincides with the launch earlier in the year of the ACTIVE CUMBRIA newspaper campaign to encourage more people to take part in sport and recreation. It is a tribute to the hard work and innovation of sports professionals, schools, our network of coaches and independent sports clubs across the county that more and more people of all ages are getting motivated to take part in sport and physical activity.
"With such a wide variety of sports available to people in Cumbria varying from outdoor adventure sports, football to gymnastics, Cumbria Sport Partnership will continue to encourage people to become more active and create an active, healthy and successful Cumbria through sport and physical activity".
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For more information contact the Sport England Communications team: Jane Clarke Tel: 0207 273 1800, Alex Russell Tel: 0207 273 1866, or Anna Wharton Tel: 0207 273 1822 OR Richard Johnston, Cumbria Sport Partnership on 01228 601255.
Notes
Population figures are based on unrevised ONS mid 2005 and 2006 estimates.
The statistics are from Active People Survey 2 (APS2) first quarter results for interviews conducted from mid-October 2007 to mid-January 2008. They are compared to equivalent results from Active People Survey 1 (APS1), figures for interviews conducted from mid-October 2005 to mid-January 2006. The time between the two sets of data is 2 years.
Sport England commissioned Ipsos MORI, the independent research company, to conduct the Active People Survey. The Active People Survey 1 was carried out between mid October 2005 and mid October 2006. The survey is conducted by telephone using Random Digit Dialling (RDD) to generate a sample of telephone numbers. One respondent is randomly selected from the eligible household. At least 1,000 interviews were achieved across every Local Authority in England (except Isles of Scilly and City of London). A total of 363,724 adults aged 16 and over were surveyed over the period.
Active People Survey 2, also being conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of Sport England commenced in mid October 2007 and will run continuously for 12 months until mid October 2008. The survey is being conducted by telephone, using RDD to generate sample. The survey will deliver a total of 500 interviews with adults aged 16+ per Local Authority in England.
Participation is defined as adults who have participated at least once in the previous four weeks.
PLEASE NOTE: The results in this press release compare statistics from interviews conducted between mid-October 2005 and mid-January 2006 to interviews conducted between mid-October 2007 to mid-January 2008. All the changes reported are statistically significant. These results refer to one quarter only and will not necessarily be replicated in future quarters