Explore how diversity in the sport and physical activity workforce influences participation among under-represented groups*.
Background
Sport England seeks to tackle inequalities in sport and physical activity, providing opportunities to people and communities that have traditionally been left behind, and helping to remove the barriers to activity.
Understanding how people think, feel, experience, and behave towards sport and physical activity is fundamental in shaping inclusive, equitable policies and practices. We need greater evidence on what works so we know how best to do this.
The question above relates to the following Sport England Area of Research Interest: ARI 9. Workforce diversity and participation within sport and physical activity.
*Please visit Sport England's ARI webpage for our definition of under-represented* groups, and to download the source document: https://www.sportengland.org/research-and-data/areas-of-research-interest
Next steps
Connect with us. If you would like to join the Sport England ARI network, attend events, undertake research, or share existing research, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/e/3awdtjK68y
Topics
Related UKRI funded projects
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'Leaders Like Us': Co-designing a framework to develop young physical activity leader programmes for girls from underserved groups
There are stubborn inequalities in children and young people's physical activity (PA) levels. Girls, and people from deprived areas and ethnic minority backgrounds are the least active. Inequalities in PA levels have bee...
Funded by: MRC
Lead research organisation: Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Why might this be relevant?
The project focuses on co-designing a framework to develop young physical activity leader programs for girls from underserved groups, directly addressing the question of diversity in the sport and physical activity workforce.
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Culture, Sport and Wellbeing Evidence Review: Social Diversity and Context Matters
Project aims This project aims to find out about the subjective wellbeing (SWB) benefits of different culture and sport practices and how they are distributed between different groups and user communities including: male...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: Brunel University London
Why might this be relevant?
The project explores the subjective wellbeing benefits of culture and sport practices for different groups, which could indirectly impact participation among under-represented groups.
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Widening the Wicket: Tackling Barriers and Supporting Cricket Participation for Women of Ethnic Minorities
There is plenty of evidence for inequalities in physical and mental health. A recent Birmingham City Council (2025) report showed lower healthy life expectancy for women in Birmingham compared to the national average. In...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Why might this be relevant?
The project specifically focuses on addressing barriers and supporting participation among women from ethnic minorities in cricket programs, aligning with the question's emphasis on diversity in the sport and physical activity workforce.