Swimming Tops DCMS Participation Survey
A new government survey released by the Department for Culture Media and Sport
has revealed that swimming is the nation’s most popular participation sport.
The “Taking Part” survey, commissioned by DCMS alongside Sport England,
English Heritage, Arts Council England and Museum, Libraries and Archives
Council, is the first comprehensive study of how people spend their leisure time
and swimming topped the list of sports enjoyed by the public.
The Taking Part survey revealed 94% of adults in England engaged in at least
one form of sporting or cultural opportunity during the past 12months with 69%
participating in active sport.
People in the South East are more likely to participate in sport and swimming
beat visiting a gym, jogging and playing football as the most popular sport.
The purpose of the report is to help shape future government policy to
improve the nation’s engagement across sport, cultural and leisure sectors.
Commenting on the findings, Secretary of State for the DCMS Tessa Jowell
said: ‘The news that adults encouraged to play sport during childhood are much
more likely to stay active in later life is proof positive of why our drive to
promote sport among young people is so important. This is the lasting legacy for
future generations of our commitment to school sport.’
