NEWS FOR FEBRUARY

SPORT IS COOL SAY YOUNG PEOPLE

It's interesting to see cycling is still hugely popular as an out of school sport in this newly published report from Sport England.

YOUNG people think sport is cool - that’s according to a survey commissioned by Sport England which reveals the current generation is the most motivated towards activity, recognising the benefits sport and exercise brings to their life.

Seven out of 10 young people questioned, considered themselves to be a ‘sporty type of person’ and are now more inclined to participate in sport or exercise averaging 8.1 hours a week outside school lessons, compared with 7.5 hours in 1999.

The facts are revealed in Sport England’s comprehensive survey on children and PE - Young People and Sport in England 2002, which was conducted by MORI. This latest survey follows previous research carried out in 1999 and 1994.

More than 3,000 children and young people aged six to 16 were surveyed in over 150 primary and secondary schools in England, about their participation in sport during school lessons and their leisure time, their attitudes to being active and which activities and sports they enjoy. The survey also includes the view of teachers about PE and sport in their school.

Sport England’s acting chief executive Roger Draper said: “Sport and physical activity is a vital element in a young person’s life bringing health and social benefits and laying a foundation which children will hopefully take on through to their adulthood.

“Obesity among young people is growing at an alarming rate and is already making a huge impact on the health and well being of the country. We must tap into the clear and positive attitude young people have towards sport and convert it into action.

“We at Sport England are committed to getting more people involved in sport, keeping them involved and giving opportunities to those who excel. That will only happen through a strong culture of PE and school sport, linking with local sports clubs and the wider communities with coaches in place, capitalising on the efforts of volunteers and best use of facilities.”

The 2002 survey when looking at sport within school hours identified:
(the following points are drawn from the headline findings which are attached)

nearly all young people participate in some kind of sport in school lessons.

an increase in the percentage of young people who do not take part in any sport in school time on a regular basis (at least 10 times in the past year) from 15% in 1994 to 18% in 2002.

the percentage of young people receiving two hours or more of PE a week has increased dramatically from 33% in 1999 to 49% in 2002.
However, when compared with 1994, the increase is just 3% (46% in 1994). The 1999 survey coincided with the introduction of the literacy and numeracy hour in primary schools.

there is a strong increase in competitive sport with a quarter of all school children taking part in competitions with other local clubs. (6% in 1994 to 25% in 2002).

Sports within school hours

When looking at participation rates in specific sports within school hours:
two have shown a significant increase – rounders (24% in 1994 to 30% in 2002) and tennis (16% in 1994 to 21% in 2002).

over the eight years, there has been a decrease in participation in gymnastics (39% in 1994 to 31% in 2002) and aerobics/keepfit (18% in 1994 to 14% in 2002). Gymnastics has seen a decrease in primary schools although not at secondary level.

the number of girls playing football in school has doubled (7% in 1994 to 13% in 2002)

in secondary schools gymnastics, rounders, tennis and netball all saw an increase of participation, although hockey and cricket saw less young people taking part.

Sport out of lessons

young people are playing a wider variety of sports out of school hours than ever before (average 10 in 1994 to 11.2 in 2002)

the top three sports that young people enjoy have remained the same. 51% of young people swim regularly, 49% cycle and 37% play football.

However the order of popular activity has changed since 1999 with cycling losing out as the most popular activity to swimming (cycling dropped from 57% in 1994 to 49% in 2002) as more parents drive their children to school.

less young people are playing cricket (19% in 1999 to 13% in 2002) although twice as many girls are playing football.

sports facilities

dissatisfaction at the quality of sports facilities among secondary school PE teachers has increased from 24% in 1994 claiming facilities are fairly or wholly inadequate to 39% in 2002.

Secondary schools have less access to cricket nets and tennis courts in 2002 than 1994 but have more opportunities to use synthetic athletics tracks. Primary schools have more access to multi-purpose sports halls while secondary schools have seen a 7% drop in their access to outdoor pitches and sports fields between 1994 and 2002.