Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

Water space and participationAdult swimming44. Figure 6 shows the total amount of water space (square metres) per 1000population drawn from the Active Places database, and the participation rates foradult swimming for <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent and its ONS comparator authorities as drawnfrom the Active People Survey. It also shows the national and regional figures forcomparison.45. <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent has the lowest adult swimming participation rate of any of thecomparator authorities, well below the national and regional averages, but it isimportant to note however that an increase in the amount of water spaceavailable at a city-wide level does not necessarily result in increased averageparticipation rates in swimming, as is the case in Sunderland.Figure 6:Water space and adult participation rates2520151050sqm water per 1000 population% participation in swimming in last4 weeks**Figures from Active People Survey (Sport England, 2007)46. The “average” adult swimming participation for <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent will mask localvariations across the City, possibly for example between the more affluent areasand those areas which are disadvantaged or have a higher BME population.Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 110Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009