Release Date: 25/06/2012

Richmond upon Thames most active in the country

Richmond upon Thames has been crowned the most sporting borough in the country, an official survey has revealed.

The national survey by Sport England found adults in the borough are the most active in England with nearly half participating in 30 minutes of sport every week. Richmond upon Thames claimed the top spot beating every single English authority. Local residents came out first with 49.3% taking part in sporting activities once a week, with many using the Borough’s local parks, sporting venues, leisure centres and events.

Sport England’s survey shows 1.3 million more people are playing sport at least once a week since London won the bid for the Olympic Games in 2005, with the number exceeding 15 million people for the first time.The number of disabled people who are playing sport every week has also increased. While the total number of adults taking part in sport at least once a week for 30 minutes a week in the capital has increased from 2,126,000 in 2005 - 2006 to 2,342,900 in 2011 - 12.

Cllr Pamela Fleming, Strategic Cabinet Member for Community, Business and Culture on Richmond Council, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Richmond upon Thames. We hear a lot about the so called ‘couch potatoes’ – but we are bucking the trend with generation of adults who are getting active.

“There’s no better place to be than this borough with it’s abundance of local parks, leisure centres, sporting venues and events. It’s no surprise Richmond has been part of this ‘Olympic effect’ with a full programme of activities at it’s leisure centres, RISE events for disabled people, the highest number of Sky rides in London, sporting weekends and many more activities available for local residents.”

Sport England’s Chief Executive, Jennie Price, said: “This is a strong set of results, with all of the key measures showing participation in sport is increasing. As we approach the London Games some of our key sports such as cycling and hockey are already beginning to feel the Olympic effect. I am particularly pleased that there has also been a sharp increase in the number of disabled people who are playing sport every week.”

To find our more about what the borough has to offer please visit our sports pages.

View the full press release