Predicting the factors that impact access to, completion of, and progression through community sport leaders qualifications in the UK

Sports Leaders UK (SLUK) commissioned this study to explore the socio-economic and demographic factors that influence candidates’ access, completion and progression through formal sport leader qualifications. A sample (n = 76,179) of registered sport leaders, who are defined as those qualified to lead safe, purposeful and enjoyable sport/physical activity at an entry level in local communities, was selected from SLUK’s database covering a five year period. Following frequency analysis and binary logistic regression, findings highlighted certain variables (e.g. gender, experience, locality) as strong predictors of qualification completion and candidate progression through the award system. However, socio-economic status was not found to predict award completion or continued engagement. Frequency analysis indicated an inequality of sport leaders identifying as female, Black or minority ethnic, and/or disabled. This research offers some insight into the landscape of the current and potential future workforce, and has determined factors associated with more sustained involvement in UK sport leader roles. Consequently, such findings are thought to offer a valuable insight into the factors impacting the growth and development of the field.