7.2a To what extent does investment in grassroots sport facilities increase participation, including among underrepresented groups and across different places?
Background
To support the government’s Fit for the Future Plan of preventing ill-health and reducing inequalities, DCMS seeks to build a robust evidence base on the impact of grassroots sport investment. Aligning with the strategic shift towards devolved, place-based policymaking, we need to understand how capital investment in facilities (particularly when combined with complementary interventions like behavioural campaigns) drives sustained participation across diverse groups and contributes to wider outcomes like pride in place. To achieve this, DCMS aims to move beyond traditional metrics by exploring novel data sources, such as geospatial analysis, sensors, and digital footprints. Developing these granular, innovative methodologies will allow us to map facility utilisation and accessibility in real-time, ensuring resources are effectively targeted to high-need communities to improve health outcomes and deliver value for money.
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