Sport Wales recently released the figures and infographics for the 2018 School Sport Survey. You can view the full data tables on their Statistics pages. These include Parkour/Freerunning participation figures. 

The results show that the increase seen from 2011 to 2015 in previous surveys has been sustained, with 48% of young people taking part in sport 3 or more times a week in addition to timetabled PE lessons.

2018 figures also suggest a close in the participation gap for some of the harder to reach groups.

The survey showed the sports most likely to be participated in by primary pupils other than in school or community club settings. 

For those in years 3-6, it showed that 25% of males & 29% of ‘other’* were likely to have participated in Parkour/Freerunning in a school or community club settings (this is Wales only) 

For those in years 7-11, it showed that 20% of ‘other’* were likely to have participated in Parkour/Freerunning in a school or community club settings (this is Wales only)

*Sport Wales have changed the categories on gender this year so that respondents can tick “male”, “female”, “prefer not to say” or “other”. Unfortunately, this means that gender based results are not directly comparable to previous year’s.

Other headline findings include:

• 45% of children with a disability or impairment are now taking part in sport 3 or more times a week (in addition to timetabled PE lessons), up from 40% in 2015.  The figure shows an even greater increase when responses from Special Educational Needs schools are added in, taking the figure up to 47%.
• The lowest participating ethnic minority group, Asian British has increased regular participants from 36% to 40% bringing them closer to the national average.
• Meanwhile there looks to be a more stubborn gap between the most and least deprived, with 42% of children from the most deprived households taking part 3 or more times a week (in addition to timetabled PE lessons), down from 43%in 2015. 
• In 2018, 46% of girls are taking part in sport 3 or more times a week in comparison to 50% of boys. In 2015, 44% of girls and 52% of boys stated that they regularly took part. Although direct comparisons cannot be made due to the new question dynamic, the figures suggest a potential close in the gender gap.
• 39% of those responding as ‘other’ have stated that they take part 3 or more times a week.

The data certainly demonstrates the reach, breadth and depth of Parkour/Freerunning, not just in Wales, but across the UK and our community.

We certainly feel that Parkour UK and our community have plenty to contribute to the strategic plan of Sport Wales. In addition to the Government strategy #SportingFuture, coordinated by Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the strategic plans of Sport England, sportscotland & Sport Northern Ireland

#GiveParkourAGo