I am sure you will find The Value of Sport interesting and highly informative. This factsheet summarises many of its contents. After reading it, I hope you will become convinced, as I am, of sport s enormous value to our country - and its importance to our future. The Value of Sport As well as providing participants and spectators with years of enjoyment and entertainment, sport makes a significant contribution to our economy, our environment and our society. Tackling social exclusion.
Sport is one way in which social exclusion can be tackled.
Important evidence suggests that participating in sporting activities increases people s sense of integration into their local community, in both urban and rural areas. The Somerset Rural Youth Project uses sports projects to tackle problems of social exclusion among young people. Evidence from across the country shows that sport reduces the chances of young people slipping into lives of crime. There is a reduced risk of a person re-offending if he can be encouraged to participate in sport. Early indications show a marked drop in crime, including a major reduction in juvenile offending.