They’re the only group surveyed that’s seen a significant fall in participation over the last decade. Meanwhile, less well-off groups are among the least likely to participate. Back in 2005/06 it was 56.2%, so it doesn’t seem to have changed much, although it’s up from a low of 54.6% around the time of the Olympics. 55.8% of younger people play sport for 30 minutes at least once a week, according to the latest figures. Younger people are more likely to play sport, and their participation has stayed about the same in the last decade. Few signs of improvement for different groups across England Participation peaked at the time of the Olympics: in 2012 it hit almost 37%. That’s 36.1% of adults.īack in 2005/06, just after London won the Olympic bid, it was 34.6%. So have more people become involved in sport? Participation overall is higher than a decade ago but below the Olympics peak in 2012ġ5.8 million people in England over the age of 16 played sport for 30 minutes at least once a week in 2015/16.
It also wanted to promote community engagement and participation “across all groups in society”.įour years on, the Rio 2016 games is about to begin. In 2012 London and the UK hosted the Olympic Games and the government committed to creating a "lasting legacy”, particularly by encouraging grassroots participation in sport among young people. In Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, participation is still increasing. Participation in sports has increased overall since 2005, but in England is down on the Olympics peak in 2012.