1. Active People Survey 8 Headlines: Our overall weekly participation between April 2013 and April 2014 was 1,926,400. This is an increase of 87,800 from our October 2013 figure. The breakdown in formats is 51% playing small sided, 30% 11-a-side, and the remainder playing ‘other’ football. Male participation has increased by 76,300 and females by 11,500. The number of 16-25 year olds has increased by 74,300. The number of people aged 26 + playing has increased by 13,500. Disability participation has increased by 8,400. Participation remains unchanged amongst 14-15 year olds.

2. Our Targets ‘Strategic Outcomes’ Our 16-25 strategic outcome for Year 2 is 1,159,297 and we are currently at 1,061,700. Our 26+ strategic outcome for Year 2 is 1,049,605 and we are currently at 864,700.

3. The good news! Participation has increased by 74,300 in the last 6 months for 16-25 and by 13,500 for 26+ Continued recovery within the 16-25 age group could leave participation close to our target by 2017. Participation has increased across all formats of football, with the largest increase in indoor small sided. Disability participation has increased by 8,400 in the last 6 months. If participation continues to recover at the rate shown over the last 12 months then we will be close to the target at the end of Year 4. There has been an upward trend in BME participation, with increases driven by small-sided indoor and other football. School, HE and FE participation has all increased.

4. Not so good... We are at risk of not meeting our 16-25 Sport England Strategic Outcome for year 2 of the 13-17 funding round and at risk in relation to our 26+ Strategic Outcome. For age 26+ retaining the current number would be a good result at this point. Participation fell amongst the 35-44 age group and continues to follow a downward trend. We are at risk in relation to our Disability Sport England Strategic Outcome for year 2 of the 13-17 funding round. Our target is 122,820 and we are currently at 94,000. Monthly participation has decreased further for the 26+ age group indicating a loss of infrequent participants.

5. The finer details... The biggest increases in participation came in Dec/Jan 2013 and Jan/Feb 2014 despite the heavy rainfall. This is likely to be linked to a correction for ‘abnormal’ participation 12 months earlier. 11 a-side football saw a drop in Mar/Apr which may be linked to a reduced need for fixture catch-up towards the end of the season given the increased participation in earlier months. The number of people receiving coaching has increased compared to 6 months ago. Participation has decreased amongst club members over the last 6 months. Participation in 4 regions increased (East, London, North West and South West) but decreased in the East Midlands and the North East.

6. Further information http://www.sportengland.org/research/a bout-our-research/active-people-survey/http://www.sportengland.org/research/a bout-our-research/active-people-survey/ Darren Lawrence, National Game Business Support Manager Darren.Lawrence@TheFA.com Darren.Lawrence@TheFA.com