Those of you intrepid enough to read KKP News will have noted the regular references to the need for evaluation, evidence and proof. In this brief piece I highlight both what can be done via ‘smarter' interrogation of existing information and; how the collection of very limited information can generate high quality, high value evidence.

When does non-participation start?

Although the question is designed to interrogate a negative, national strategies and agencies, in our view misleadingly, continue to refer to a drop off in participation at the age of 16 years. Our research consistently show that the decline in interest and participation starts much earlier - particularly for girls and that the relative impact of gender on participation is emphatic, even by the age of 13, a platform is set for reduced levels of participation - that often continue into later life. 

 The chart below, taking responses at Year 7 as the baseline, illustrates the increase in the number of girls who do not participate and whose attitudes to sport suggest that they are, at least in the short-medium term, unlikely to do so.

Active People

Further analysis confirms that, although, overall, women's participation is lower than those of men, notable exceptions include aquatic sports, keep fit and gymnastics. Revealingly (and arguably worryingly if whole sport plan target are to be achieved) the nature of such activity is often participative rather than direct competition based. This picture is wholly consistent with the findings of, for example, the recent WSFF ‘Its Time' study. Analysis of data for the North West region reveals that:

• Organised competitive sports - exhibit consistently higher rates for men, often more than double the equivalent women's rate.
• Aquatic sports - exhibit consistently higher rates for women, occasionally double or higher than the equivalent men's rate.

Sparky

On a different tack, the paper we presented at the Scotland VOCAL Conference illustrated how, by simply recording the home postcode (plus the time of attendance) of young participants at activity sessions in key inner-city areas enabled us and the client (Salford City Council) to demonstrate the impact that ‘diversionary activity' had on levels of crime and juvenile nuisance.

This was assessed in tandem with police beat records and illustrated a 35-50% drop in certain types of recorded crime in key locations. Basic calculations of the cost of crime relative to that of ‘entertaining' these young people led to further investment that has not only improved opportunities for young people but has also measurably improved the quality of life of local residents. The use of this evidence has also cemented the partnership work between agencies involved and led to the spread of similar programmes, funded at neighbourhood level, across the City.  

Whatever the scale of your operation, the budget you work to, or the issues you are seeking to address, there are ways in which the evaluation of what you do can be improved (and usually simplified). We are happy to help.