The ukactive EDI report – unveiled on 19 February – offers an insightful look into how the physical activity sector is embracing equality, diversity, and inclusion.
In a sector known for keeping active, it’s refreshing to see organisations stepping up to deliver more inclusive services, and the report shows just where we stand.
Titled “Progressing the EDI Agenda”, the report marks the end of a year-long consultation where 68 diverse organisations – from private facility operators to public providers and suppliers – took a deep dive into their EDI practices.
Each participant answered 40 questions, receiving a personalised score that points them towards targeted resources for ongoing improvement.
When these individual scores were anonymised and aggregated, they painted a broader picture of the industry’s current inclusivity, landing the sector in the ‘EDI Activator’ category with an average score of 47%.
Notably, the category of ‘Workforce and Training’ topped the chart, scoring an average of 55%. This suggests that, when it comes to educating and supporting their teams on EDI issues, organisations are really hitting their stride.
Meanwhile, 71% of respondents confirmed that their business plans already reference EDI, though almost a third admitted they’re still seeking a unified purpose in this arena.
With 80% recognising gaps in service for underrepresented groups, it’s clear that while progress is being made, there’s still plenty of room for growth.
Timothy Mathias, Strategic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at ukactive, summed it up perfectly: “Following the first year of our EDI self-assessment tool, it is clear that while the sector is moving in the right direction, there is still much work to do to drive progress on this agenda.
“This self-assessment tool provides our members with simple measures and advice to improve their approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and is also helping us to track the sector’s progress.
“We want the health, social and wellbeing benefits of an active lifestyle to be felt across the entire population, and today’s report provides a useful marker to understand what more can be done to make our sector’s facilities, services and products as accessible and inclusive as possible.”
The report isn’t just about numbers—it’s a call to action. Supported by partners such as Future Fit and the Swimming Teachers’ Association, the findings encourage more organisations to use the self-assessment toolkit.
With ukactive’s Vision 2030 strategy setting an ambitious target of engaging over five million new members from diverse backgrounds, every step towards a more inclusive practice counts.
Tom Godwin, Group Operations Director at Future Fit Group, added: “We have been proud to support ukactive with the workforce elements of the EDI self-assessment tool.
We are greatly encouraged to see the work with the toolkit that demonstrates the commitment of the sector to focusing on creating more inclusive environments.
“The EDI self-assessment tool designed by ukactive is a straightforward and effective way to address how organisations in our sector can increase awareness of and support for equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.
We are excited to see this tool continue to shape the sector’s approach to EDI and how it can play a key role in inspiring a fitter and healthier nation.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dave Candler, CEO of the Swimming Teachers Association, stated: “It’s encouraging to see that in just 12 months, ukactive’s self-assessment tool has brought focus to and made significant progress in advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion within our sector.
“STA is proud to have contributed to this effort, and we welcome the release of this first report as part of our shared commitment to embedding EDI into the leadership and core values of organisations.
“This is a crucial step in driving meaningful change. This valuable tool will continue to support organisations in improving their approach to inclusion and play a key role in shaping future policies for a more accessible and inclusive physical activity sector.”
For anyone curious about how the physical activity sector is evolving, the ukactive EDI report is an essential read. To explore the full findings in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 2025: Progressing the EDI Agenda.
And if you’d like to see where your organisation stands, you can complete the self-assessment and receive your individual report.
With insights like these, it’s clear that a fitter, healthier, and more inclusive future isn’t just a dream—it’s well on its way.