The Active People Survey: a catalyst for transforming evidence-based sport policy in England

Abstract

The title of this paper makes a bold statement. Is it possible that the addition to our evidence base of a survey of population levels of participation in sport – the Active People Survey (APS) – has led to a transformation in the context in which community sports policy is formulated and implemented? It is my contention that this is the case and this paper provides some background, policy contexts and arguments to support this view. In this paper I outline, from my position as Head of Research at Sport England, the context in which the decision was made to invest over £5 million in the APS in order to assess participation in sport and active recreation in England. In particular, the paper provides some brief background on what the survey entailed – its scope and methodology – before going on to provide examples of the types of analysis that have been carried out on the data generated by the survey and the insight it has provided into the sporting landscape in England. Finally, the paper concludes by outlining where and how the APS has impacted on all levels in the community sport system, from national strategic planning, to local government performance frameworks, to project design and social marketing strategies.