The 2016 Sport and Recreation Paid Workforce Survey was conducted in February 2016. This is the first time we have surveyed people working in sport and recreation organisations and we had a fantastic response, with more than 100 organisations involved and well over 1,000 people completing the survey.

Participating organisations with ten or more people completing the survey will have received their own, confidential report showing their organisation’s results in key areas and how these compare with other similar-type organisations, as well as the wider sport and recreation sector.

The survey report provides interesting insights into the characteristics, motivations and behaviours of the sport and recreation paid workforce. It highlights a number of opportunities, as well as some serious employment and retention risks. While the workforce is highly motivated and has an inherent passion for the work of the sector, there is also evidence of frustration and dissatisfaction - particularly about workloads, long working hours, resourcing, recognition and leadership. A significant proportion of those surveyed (in February) indicated an intention to leave their current roles, many within the current year.

The report suggests the sector would benefit from improved workforce planning and management practices, including the application of more effective HR processes and practices. Effective workforce planning is about understanding your current and future business needs, and developing the people and skill-sets you need to meet these. It is also about providing the kind of working conditions that will attract and retain skilled and motivated people for your organisation.

Workforce development activities

This research was commissioned to support better workforce planning and talent development activities within the sport and recreation sector.

For further information visit the workforce planning section.

2016 Sport And Recreation Paid Workforce Survey Full Report

pdf - 1463 KB