Sport England’s latest Active Lives Adult Survey has confirmed something many of us working in grassroots sport already suspected: more people than ever are taking part in physical activity. The report shows that sports participation in England has hit a new high, with 30 million adults—63.7% of the population—meeting or exceeding the recommended 150 minutes of activity each week. That’s an increase of 2.4 million since 2016.
At a glance, this looks like a great stat for fitness and wellbeing. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that the rise in sports participation is driving benefits that go far beyond physical health. From building stronger communities to reducing stress on the NHS, this upward trend is something worth celebrating—and supporting.
The True Value of Sports Participation
Regular physical activity is linked with better physical health, improved mental wellbeing, and a greater sense of connection to community. Sport England estimates the social and economic value of community sport and physical activity at over £100 billion annually. This includes personal wellbeing, increased productivity, and reduced costs to health and social care services.
Importantly, this latest rise in sports participation is being driven by a more inclusive demographic. Older adults, women, and ethnically diverse communities are becoming more active, narrowing the historic gaps in who gets to benefit from sport. That’s proof that the efforts of thousands of volunteers, clubs, and organisations are paying off.
Volunteers: The Backbone of Grassroots Sport
Behind every team, league, or club seeing growth in sports participation is a team of volunteers. These individuals—often unpaid and overworked—handle everything from organising fixtures and sending updates to collecting fees and booking venues. Without them, grassroots sport simply wouldn’t function.
But there’s a problem: while sports participation is up, so too are the demands on volunteers. As clubs grow, so do the admin burdens, making it harder to keep volunteers engaged and motivated. Many are reaching breaking point, and unless something changes, grassroots sport could struggle to keep up with the boom in participation.
How Team Management Tools Like Spond Make a Difference
This is where team management tools like Spond can play a pivotal role. As sports participation increases, the need for smarter, simpler admin solutions becomes critical—not just for clubs, but for the volunteers who keep them running.
Spond helps volunteers take control of the workload with features like:
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Automated scheduling – Say goodbye to endless group chats and calendar confusion.
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Real-time communication – Updates, reminders, and last-minute changes are all handled in one place.
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Attendance tracking – Know who’s coming, who’s not, and plan accordingly.
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Secure payments – Collect subs and fees without needing to chase people.
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Fundraising options – Built-in tools like Spond Superdraw to raise money with less effort.
By reducing the admin stress and streamlining the logistics, team management tools help make volunteering more enjoyable—and more sustainable. It’s not just about saving time; it’s about creating a better experience for everyone involved.
Building on the Momentum
With sports participation at an all-time high, the challenge now is to maintain and build on that momentum. Clubs and volunteers need support to cope with growing numbers. That means investment in facilities, better safeguarding, and a push towards modernisation—especially when it comes to admin.
By embracing modern team management tools, grassroots clubs can focus on what really matters: getting more people playing, enjoying, and benefiting from sport. Tools like Spond not only make clubs more efficient, but they also make them more welcoming places for new volunteers and new players alike.
A New Era for Grassroots Sport
We’re in a golden moment for grassroots sports participation in England, and it’s vital that we don’t waste it. With more people getting involved in sport than ever before, now is the time to give volunteers the tools they need to succeed. Team management tools like Spond are a simple yet powerful way to ensure that clubs can grow without overwhelming the people running them.
As we look ahead, let’s not just celebrate the record numbers—we need to future-proof grassroots sport by making it easier, not harder, to volunteer and lead. With the right support, sports participation can continue to rise, transforming communities and lives for years to come.
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