16.01.2017
A major inquiry has been launched into sport participation and barriers to participation by MSPs on the Health and Sport Committee.
The inquiry, Sport for Everyone, will follow up on the impact of the 2014 Commonwealth Games to determine the extent it has increased access to and participation in sport in the medium to long term.
A key part of Scotland’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games was ensuring an “active legacy” through excellent sporting infrastructure increasing access to sport and increased levels of sporting activity across Scotland.
Convener of the Committee Neil Findlay MSP said:
“A crucial driver behind Scotland’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games was to deliver a long lasting legacy by encouraging more people in Scotland to take part in sport.
“What we want to determine almost three years after the Commonwealth Games were held in Scotland is the impact on the number of people taking part in sport. Most importantly, has it led to an increase in participation and what more can be done to improve Scotland’s relationship with sport?”
The Committee has also launched an online survey and is asking members of the public to contribute to their work by telling the committee what barriers they face to participating in sport.
Mr Findlay MSP continued:
“January is always a time when thoughts turn to New Year’s resolutions and getting fitter after the indulgence of the Christmas period. We thought this was an opportune time to ask people in Scotland why they don’t or can’t take part in sport and the barriers they face whether it be access, money or other reasons?
“Our Committee wants to understand what motivates people to take part in sport but more importantly why a large proportion of our population doesn’t undertake as much physical activity as they could.”
The Committee will hold a roundtable session in February to consider a range of views from those stakeholders involved in the provision of sport facilities, sport clubs and sport activities. This will be followed by a series of fact-finding visits to meet with organisations and individuals engaged with sport and also to meet individuals who are currently not participating in sport to explore the barriers to their engagement.
Background
The online survey is open to everyone and can be accessed at http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SportInquiry/. It should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.