Sport and Physical Activity Matters in West Yorkshire

We often say that sport and being active is in the DNA of Yorkshire. Most people in the region are regarded as active; we have a rich sporting heritage of professional and local sports clubs; our classically green landscape is home to active pursuits every day; communities are vibrant with local organisation of opportunities to participate and our health systems are increasingly seeing physical activity as a crucial element of healthy places and healthy lives.

But we know being active is not the case for everyone. Deep and long-standing inequalities remain; inequalities that mean it is much harder for some people to access the benefits of being active and playing sport due to an array of things that get in the way. The mature partnerships that are in place in each of our five districts are leading the work in addressing these challenges.

We intuitively know that playing sport, being active or simply moving more can make a hugely positive contribution to people’s lives and in turn to communities and to the region. But our intuition isn’t enough for policy and decision makers to take seriously the contribution that sport and physical activity can make when developing their plans.

Impacts on health of being active is well grounded and there is growing evidence coming forth on a day-to-day basis to support this as referenced in this document.

We also need to demonstrate better our contribution to the economy. In areas such as workforce productivity, supporting people to be closer to the workforce, the visitor economy, the effects of sporting events, the value of volunteering, the development of a broad skills base and others, all have a role to play in growing West Yorkshire’s economy.

We have commissioned this document to bring together the evidence and data we currently hold to build a narrative of the sector’s contribution to wider strategic plans. Where possible we have drawn upon West Yorkshire specific data and, where not, we have used the national data that is available. The West Yorkshire Plan, developed by the Mayoral Combined Authority, illustrates a vision of a brighter future for all and describes missions for all of us to work towards. It is vital that sport and physical activity contributes fully to this bright future. The Plan gives a framework to provide the evidence of that contribution. This document provides a snapshot of the huge amount of work taking place in our local areas which is being evaluated on a regular basis. As a result, we will be regularly reviewing the document so that we show a full and current picture of the vital role of sport and physical activity in the region.

Thank you to our partners who have contributed to this document and for KADA for pulling it together. 

Read the report