Research reports

Because I’m worth it

This detailed report by Professor Celia Brackenridge reviews research on participation in sport and other physical activity by women, particularly mid-life women, and draws out policy implications.

The economic importance of sport in Scotland 2001

The economic benefits of sport have been of interest to policy makers and those involved with the development of sport and its infrastructure for a good many years.

Participation fact sheets by Local Authority 2003-06

Active Schools Network year two progress report

This short document summarises the key areas of progress made by the Active Schools Network over the last two years.

A literature review of sexual orientation in sport

In order to improve and develop their policy advice, the sports councils in the UK commissioned a review of what is known about sexual orientation in sport and to draw out implications and practical recommendations. This is a thorough analysis of a wide range of research and policy documents, summarised with a combination of academic rigour and strong advocacy for the issues raised.

Active Schools Network: Evaluation year three (2006|2007)

This report summarises the evaluation of the third year (school year 2006/07) of the Active Schools Network.

Active Schools Network evaluation year two 2005|2006

Active Schools Network Evaluation Year 2 - Loughborough summary report and sportscotland's response. At the outset of the Active Schools Network, sportscotland commissioned a consortium of researchers to carry out an evaluation of our investment in the Network over the three year period 2004-2007. This report covers the school year 2005-2006 and includes a response from sportscotland on the main themes highlighted.

An analysis of regional variations in sports participation in Scotland

In 2003/04 additional funding from the Scottish Executive allowed sportscotland to commission a boosted sample in its continuous sports participation survey large enough to identify for the first time patterns of adult participation at local authority level. This report by Professor Fred Coalter of Stirling University and Steve Dowers of Edinburgh University explores the differences in levels of participation across local authority populations. It relates these variations to a range of socio-demographic profiles of the populations and also examines different levels of participation by women.

An analysis of Scotland’s performance in the Commonwealth Games 1950-2002

The research in this report is concerned with informing sportscotland’s approach to the support and development of medal winning athletes competing for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games.

An analysis of Scotland’s performance in the Commonwealth Games 1950-2006

The research in this report provides an update on the 2004 report and includes the performance of the Scottish team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The report is best printed in colour as there is a large number of graphs.

An evaluation of sportscotland investment in the post of Volunteer Development Manager with Scottish Swimming

This is a summary report of the evaluation commissioned by sportscotland to assess the impact and effectiveness of the work of the Volunteer Development Manager (VDM) post on volunteering within Scottish Swimming.

An evaluation of the Junior Club Development Pilot Programme in Scotland

In 2004, sportscotland appointed Vaga Associates to undertake a retrospective evaluation of the Junior Club Development Pilot Programme (JCDPP). This report summarises the findings of the study, which was completed in August 2004.

Attitudes to Physical Activity by Low Participants

This is no. 4 in a series of background reports being prepared during 2002/03 to inform the revision of Sport 21, the national strategy for sport in Scotland. An exploration of issues and attitudes surrounding the low levels of participation in physical activity amongst (1) parents of pre-fives children, (2) teenage girls and (3) men in mid years.

Burden or benefit? An evaluation of sportscotland's child protection programme with governing bodies of sport

The evaluation by Professor Celia Brackenridge of sportscotland's children protection in sport programme with governing bodies includes a range of recommendations that will be addressed during 2005.

clubgolf evaluation

The clubgolf evaluation report provides information to support the ongoing development of the clubgolf programme and to assess progress against the 2009 targets. A full report with detailed appendices (in a separate file) and a summary report are available.

Curling success and its impact on participation

The broad aim of the research was to examine whether the success of the women’s Olympic and World Championship curling teams in 2002 had any effect on participation in curling in Scotland.

Entrance charges and sports participation

This is no. 7 in a series of background reports being prepared during 2002/03 to inform the revision of Sport 21, the national strategy for sport in Scotland. The purpose of this short report is to provide a review of the evidence about the relationship between the pricing and use of local authority sport and recreation services.

Evaluation of Active Primary School Programme: Overview of main findings for year 1 (2001)

This is no. 28 in a series of background reports being prepared during 2002/03 to inform the revision of Sport 21, the national strategy for sport in Scotland.

Evaluation of the Active Primary School Pilot Programme

This report draws together the findings from a three-year evaluation of the Active Primary School Pilot Programme (APSPP). It assesses the progress of the Programme against its original aims, provides insights into the factors influencing its operation, and makes recommendations for the continuing development of the Programme. The research digest presents the main findings, and highlights the impact of the Programme and key factors influencing its implementation and development.

Evaluation of the School Sport Co-ordinator Programme in Scotland

This aim of the study was to assist sportscotland to make decisions about the future direction of the School Sport Co-ordinator Programme (SSCP) by collecting information on its impact, various aspects of its operation, and the extent to which School Sport Co-ordinators (SSCs) have been able to fulfil their remit and identify any obstacles to the development of the SSCP.

Facility barriers to active schools programme expansion

This short study investigates the extent to which lack of, or poor facilities is a barrier to the further expansion of the Active Schools Programme, through a survey of Active School Coordinators. It includes: identification of the range of facilities used to deliver the Active Schools Programme, whether these facilities could host an expansion in extra curricular sport and physical activity, constraints to specific sports and identification of required facility improvements.

Factors influencing the motivations of coaches

The purpose of the research is to inform policy decisions on coach recruitment, education, services and promotion. The approach adopted is to identify the factors which influence motivations, to demonstrate the relationships involved and to highlight policy directions.

From primary to secondary school: Changes in Scottish girls’ physical activity and the influence of maturation and perceptions of competence

This research (by a research team at Heriot Watt University) investigates the decline in participation in sport by adolescent girls by following a group of Edinburgh girls for 18 months through the transition from primary to secondary school examining relationships between physical activity, maturation and perceptions of competence.

Increasing demand for sport and physical activity for adolescent girls in Scotland

This document highlights the practical implications of the research and is designed to offer Active Schools managers, managers of leisure centres, sports development officers, policymakers and others with guidance on effective strategies for developing programmes to increase the participation of girls in sport and physical activity.

Mountain Bike World Cup 2002 - Fort William:

This report presents the findings of an economic impact study of the Mountain Bike World Cup 2002 held at the Nevis Range mountain bike course near Fort William, on 1-2 June 2002.

Older people, sport and physical activity

The review of sport, physical activity and older people provides a literature based, policy focussed overview of existing information to inform future policy and programmes.

Participation fact sheets by Local Authority 2003-06 (Word Documents)

Participation profiles by Local Authority

Participation fact sheets by sport 2003-06 (word documents)

Participation profiles by sport.

Participation in outdoor sports activity

This summary report provides key findings of a a short study of several aspects of outdoor activity participation and the role of the school experience that was commissioned by sportscotland and carried out by Sports Recreational Services in September 1999.

Participation in sport and physical recreation in Scotland 2005-07 overview

The following are key statistics on participation in sport and physical recreation within Scotland by adults (16+) and children (8-15) living in Scotland.

Participation in sport in Scotland, 2006

The following are key statistics on participation in sport and physical recreation within Scotland by adults and children living in Scotland.

Population and participation profiles: Key equity figures

The latest sports participation statistics for equity groups are now available. They include both population and sports participation figures by age, gender, disability, multiple deprivation and ethnicity.

Public attitudes to the importance of excellence in Scottish sport

This is no. 1 in a series of background reports being prepared during 2002/03 to inform the revision of Sport 21, the national strategy for sport in Scotland.
sportscotland has from time to time commissioned questions from the general public on their attitudes to the importance of excellence in Scottish sport. The questions were included in the regular household Scottish Omnibus Survey by System Three and were asked of adults aged 16 and over. The samples were reasonably representative cross-sections of the adult Scottish population

Public attitudes to the importance of sport in Scotland

This is no. 2 in a series of background reports being prepared during 2002/03 to inform the revision of Sport 21, the national strategy for sport in Scotland. In May 2002 sportscotland commissioned questions from the general public on their attitudes to the importance of sport in Scotland. The questions were included in the regular household Scottish Omnibus Survey by System Three and were asked of adults aged 16 and over. The sample was a reasonably representative cross-section of the adult Scottish population.

Scotland's Junior Golf Strategy

Describes the development and implementation of Scotland’s Junior Golf Strategy. The strategy puts in place a single plan and a coordinated structure that will deliver the Scottish Executive’s and Scottish Golf’s commitment to the people of Scotland by 2009.

Scottish mountaineering incidents (1996 – 2005)

This report provides an analysis of mountain accidents in Scotland over a ten year period and gives an objective basis for looking at risks and hazards in the mountains

Scottish Olympic medal winners 1900-2004

A list of the past Scottish [summer] Olympic medal winners from 1900 to 2004.

Sport and Local Government in the New Scotland

This is no. 6 in a series of background reports being prepared during 2002/03 to inform the revision of Sport 21, the national strategy for sport in Scotland.
This report was commissioned to examine the condition of sport in its specific role as a local government service, including current issues pertaining to sport in schools. In doing so, it seeks to clarify the capacity of sport in Scotland and local government to contribute to each other’s goals. It explores the potential opportunities for sport emerging from the new operational context facing local government.

Sport participation in Scotland 1999

Since 1987, sportscotland (previously the Scottish Sports Council) has collected data on adult (aged 16 and over) sports participation. The data has been collected by System Three as part of their omnibus household survey, the Scottish Opinion Survey. This research digest presents the data collected during 1997, 1998 and 1999.

Sporting success, role models and participation

This review examines whether there is evidence to link sporting success, the hosting of major events or sporting role models with increased sports participation.

Sports Clubs in Scotland

This is no. 10 in a series of background reports being prepared during 2002/03 to inform the revision of Sport 21, the national strategy for sport in Scotland.
This study was to investigate and report on the nature of sports clubs in Scotland in order to provide a strong information base on which to build a national club development programme. Includes individual survey results for angling, athletics, badmington, bowls, cricket, football, golf, hockey, swimming and tennis.

Sports participation data methodological overview

For background and technical information to explain the sports participation survey data, refer to the methodology paper.

Sports Participation in Scotland 2000

This is no. 11 in a series of background reports being prepared during 2002/03 to inform the revision of Sport 21, the national strategy for sport in Scotland. This report provides information on sports participation by adults and children up to 1998-2000. It will shortly be replaced with an equivalent report on the data for 1999-2001.

Sports participation in Scotland 2001

Since 1987, sportscotland has collected data on adult (aged 16 and over) sports participation. This research digest presents the data collected during 1999, 2000 and 2001, with trend data providing a picture of change over time. Since 1997, data has also been collected from young people (aged 8-18) and the 1999-2001 data is included here.

Sports participation in Scotland 2006

This research digest presents the data collected during the three years 2004-06, with earlier trend data providing a picture of change over time.

Sports participation in Scotland 2007

This research digest presents the data collected during the three years 2005-07, with earlier trend data providing a picture of change over time.

Sports schools in Finland

The purpose of the visit was to consider whether a network of sports schools could be an effective foundation for elite sport in Scotland. More specifically, whether the flexible negotiated curriculum in Scottish further education colleges would be the ideal setting for a Scottish equivalent of the Nordic system.

The economic importance of sport in Scotland 2004

This research digest provides an update of information on the economic impact of sport in Scotland. Data is provided on consumer expenditure, employment and value added. It is based on 2004 data and makes comparisons with 2001, 1998 and 1995.

The Social Benefits of Sport

Sport alone will not solve Scottish society’s ills. This document illustrates how, in conjunction with other factors, sport has the potential to contribute to society in general and aspects of community planning in particular.

Tourist Use of Rural Sports Facilities

System Three was commissioned to undertake a study to investigate the tourist use of sports facilities in rural areas of Scotland. The objectives of this study were to: allow planning to take place for sports facilities in rural areas which can incorporate potential tourist use; assess how tourist use can assist the viability of local sports facilities; provide information to assist in determining the appropriate scale of new facilities; and assist the assessment of grant-aid applications.