What we do

The overall aim of Sport Wales' research is to provide high quality evidence on issues, processes, and outcomes to inform the development and delivery of policy relating to sport in Wales.

Sport Wales has a long history of promoting and carrying out research. It is a core function of our organisation.

We have three guiding principles for our research, they are:

To reflect (and challenge) Sport Wales' strategic priorities;
To maintain the highest standards to ensure research outcomes are credible and defensible; and
To reflect Sport Wales' vision for equality.

The strategic direction of research in Sport Wales is laid out in our Research Strategy. We have built upon the accumulated experience of thirty years of research at Sport Wales, and the Strategy reflects the current and anticipated policy priorities, and the social and political context within which sport is developed, delivered and experienced in Wales.

Through the strategy, we are responding to the need to strengthen the evidence-base for decision-making in sport at all levels, and seek to put in place a coherent framework for research that is both proactive and reactive to the wider social policy agenda.

Our work is categorised into eight key areas:

1. Strategic Monitoring

Research to track trends in sport in Wales.

2. Strategic Understanding

Research to better understand the nature of (non)participation.

3. Strategic Modelling

Modelling participation: going forward; by segment group and by ward.

4. Project and Programme Evaluation

Assessing the effectiveness of our investment.

5. Operational Research

Improving our business effectiveness and efficiency.

6. Leading the Sports Research Agenda