Delivering sports participation legacies at the grassroots level: the voluntary sports clubs of Glasgow 2014

Voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) provide the primary opportunities for organised community sport in the UK and thus hold the responsibility for delivering on mega-event sports participation legacies. This study presents findings from open-ended questionnaires and interviews conducted in two phases (Phase 1 – Spring, 2013; Phase 2 – Summer, 2015) with representatives from a sample (n=39) of VSCs to understand their ability to deliver on the participation legacy goals of London 2012 and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Thematic analysis of the data outlined three themes where support for VSCs should be placed when planning future mega-events: building VSC capacity; retaining members in the long-term; and general visibility of the VSC throughout the event. Bid teams who hope to use mega-events as catalysts for sports participation increases should direct funding and guidance towards VSCs to ensure they have the tools, knowledge and capacity to deliver on national sports participation ambitions.