Greater Manchester Sporting Equals Research

GreaterSport have worked with Sporting Equals to understand BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Groups’ activity levels, attitudes, motivations and barriers to sport and physical activity across Greater Manchester. Both organisations felt it was important to share some of the key findings.

Mother laughing with hula hoop and children playing around her

Demographics

  • Greater Manchester's BAME (Black, Asian, and minority ethnicity) population has a high percentage who are fairly active (1x30mins) 41.4% compared to the GM average which is 35.5%.
  • The latent demand is also higher with 79.9% compared to the overall 58.6% in GM. Asian females have particularly high demand 89.9%. This shows an opportunity for increasing participation amongst this group. 
  • Across the UK only 3% of coaches are from a BAME background whereas in Greater Manchester 73.7% of coaches are from white backgrounds.

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Barriers and motivations amongst BAME population

  • Key barriers to physical activity include access to transport, time and cost issues and cultural barriers including female-only classes, and not feeling welcome in non BAME environments.
  • Main motivations include having fun, socialising, health and being active together with family and the community.

GreaterSport's recommendations to Sporting Equals

  • Target existing networks and facilities such as faith centres to overcoming barriers, improving attitudes and increase PA levels.
  • Faith centres offer the opportunity to overcome transport, time and cost issues as it utilises individuals’ existing lifestyle, habits and accepted norms.
  • Utilise faith centre volunteers to become role models for their community. This can overcome the sense of exclusion from traditional gym sites, and offer the chance for female only considerations to be met.
  • Communication is a vital tool for improving PA levels. The faith centres are important here for utilising social networks to increase social acceptance and change normative beliefs that shape behaviour.
  • Other vital platforms include social media and text/whatsapp that increase awareness of available provisions and activities.

Sporting Equals were keen to share this piece of work to promote the key findings and recommendations to inform decision making and activities when working with these groups.