Impact, Insight & Evidence
Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all kinds of discrimination”. Nelson Mandela
The unique power of sport is well recognised but, during tough economic times, as a sector we need to evidence our impact to prove our return on investment.
The following is an attempt to pull together some of the recognised research and statistics available on sport and leisure, so that we can better demonstrate its positive impact and unique value to society.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, and we eagerly welcome any references to new data.
Please get in touch if you are aware of any studies that could be added.
National Statistics
- Welsh Government National Survey for Wales
- Sport Wales Statistics
- Sport Wales School Sport Survey 2018
- Public Health Outcomes Framework
Community Sport
Deprivation/ Poverty
Economic Impact of Sport
- WRU – Economic Impact of the Millennium Stadium 2016
- Sheffield Hallam University – The Economic Importance of Sport in Wales 2016/17
- Sport Wales – The Economic Impact of Sport in Wales 2008
Education
Gender
- Streetgames – Us Girls Wales Programme Learning
- Transexual People and Competitive Sport – Guidance for National Governing Bodies of Sport
Health
- Sport Wales Health Evidence Paper 2015
- Time to Solve Childhood Obesity UK CMO October 2019
- Childhood Obesity Atlas October 2019
Social Value of Sport
- Sheffield Hallam University – Social Return on Investment of sport in Wales 2016/17
- Sport and Recreation Alliance – Uncovering the Social Value of Sport
- House of Commons Select Committee Report – Social Impact of Culture and Sport, May 2019
Sport and Development
Volunteering
Measuring Well-being
It is widely agreed that GDP is an important yet insufficient measure of national success. In an attempt to broaden the scope for public policy analysis, whilst much progress has been made on developing the measurement of individual wellbeing, there remains much to be done on how best to apply this data to policymaking.
The Commission on Wellbeing and Policy, chaired by former UK Cabinet Secretary Lord O’Donnell, produced a final report that illustrates the strengths and limitations of wellbeing analysis and provides original and authoritative guidance on the implications for public policy.
- Wellbeing and Policy – Executive Summary [Download PDF]
- Wellbeing and Policy – Full Report [Download PDF]March 2014 Published by the Legatum Institute
Articles of Interest
- What Sport Can do for Wales, Prof. Calvin Jones, IWA Click on Wales, Jan 2014
- Welsh economy benefits from hosting sports events Financial Times, Oct 2015
- How hosting sports events ‘changed perceptions of Wales’ BBC Online, May 2017
English