THE London Olympics vowed to “inspire a generation” to become more involved in sport in a country where elite sport is thriving, but problems remain at grassroots level.

So far, no Olympics have ever led to a long-term increase in sporting participation in a host nation and the most recent survey by Sport England suggested this disappointing trend would repeat itself in Britain.

The survey found there had been surge of 1.4 million more people in participation after London was awarded the Games in 2005.

But in a further survey by the Sport and Recreation Alliance in January 2013 nearly nine out of 10 sports clubs had seen no change in the number of people with disabilities joining their ranks in the months after the London Games.

The figures suggest the London Games has failed in its quest to encourage the British population to ditch the sofa for the swimming pool or athletics track.

But in Oxford, which saw a number of high-profile medal winners last summer, there is a distinct air of optimism.

Eva Oliver, Oxford City Council spokesman, said the numbers of people taking up sport had risen and was continuing to grow. More investment was also planned to ensure the legacy did not fizzle out.

She said: “Since 2005, sports participation in Oxford has gone up by 7.1 per cent. This is the third highest increase in England.

“The number of people aged 16 and over taking part in sports activities across Oxford has also increased from 25.5 per cent in 2011-12 to 27.8 per cent in the period October 2012 to March this year.

“This is a fantastic result, which places us in the top 20 of all local authorities in England.

“We are not complacent and will continue to work to increase sports participation in our city. Recent events like the launch of the Ping! Festival and the StreetSports project for young people shows this.

“We are also investing £2.45m over the next three years to improve pavilions in our parks, which provide facilities for many sports clubs in Oxford.”

Mark Lygo, the city council's executive member for parks, sports and events and culture, said: “Oxford is in a stronger position than other local authorities in the UK to continue the legacy of the Games.

“There have been a number of new developments, such as the community football, netball arena and adiZone at Court Place Farm, Barton pavilion and a new artificial turf pitch at Banbury Road North.”

What is more, the number of visitors to council-owned leisure facilities in Oxford has increased by almost 50 per cent in the past five years which councillors attributed to the Olympics and the better range of activities on offer and improvements to the centres.

Mike Rowley, the council's executive member for leisure services, said: “For example, this month work started on the new £7.2m pool complex in Blackbird Leys.

“The Olympics has certainly increased people’s interest in leisure and sports.”

But it was important we had the improved leisure centres in place as it meant we were in a position to take advantage of it.

“We have to keep improving our facilities and we are making every effort to do this.”

So, while the organisers and ministers struggle to tackle the dreaded “L-word”, Oxford seems strongly placed to build on that most glorious of summers.

ON THE AGENDA

Future Olympic-related projects planned by Oxford City Council:

  • Ping Festival (August 3 to September 7)
  • Festival of Tennis (August 17 and 18, Florence Park)
  • Building a new pool at Blackbird Leys – cost £7.2m
  • Community games – sports events involving the community
  • Recruiting 650 ‘sportmakers’, volunteers who have completed 10,000 hours of volunteering at events and clubs, acting as session leaders, coaching in community clubs or marshalling at events
  • Hosting an Olympics Day in secondary schools across the city, where 144 students participated in sports activities
  • Running StreetSports sessions in the city
  • Carrying out improvements to tennis courts and multi-use games areas across the city
  • Hosting the Archery GB series finals in Oxford

SAILING

Keith Gough, chairman of Dorchester Sailing Club: “We are getting more members to our club and there’s been a lot of enthusiasm in sailing this year. The club is doing really well and we currently have about 500 members.

“It’s hard to say how much of an impact the Olympics had for our club, but it certainly helped having role models like Ben Ainslie.

“We also cater for disabled people at our club and recently had one join because of the friendly nature of our club.”

“We have a range of abilities, with people who take part in competitions to those who are beginners. We have about 20 volunteers teaching those who are new to the sport.”

TABLE TENNIS

Paul Woodward, 69, chairman of Kidlington Forum table tennis club: “We are getting people in all the time and there’s certainly more interest since the Olympics.

“After the Games there was a surge of interest with people coming down, particularly older people who had seen it on TV and wanted to take it up again. Importantly that interest keeps rising and we are still attracting people of all ages.

“We run three open sessions a week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Exeter Close Pavilion on Crown Road.

“We have also started running a session on Tuesday night for beginners, for intermediates and advanced.

“We are a thriving club and have 11 teams in the Oxford and District League.”

TRAMPOLINING

Fiona Middleton, 34, head coach of Higher Energy Trampoline Club, which uses veunes in Oxford and Chipping Norton: “There was an increase in participation after the Olympics because people saw it on TV and thought it looked really exciting and interesting.

“But we did see some young boys leave our club after they were inspired by Tom Daley and so joined local diving clubs instead.

“We have a range of people at the club, from complete novices to people with competition experience.

“There are exciting times coming up for the club. We’ve got a session with Great Britain coach Amanda Parker on August 19 to August 23 at the Chipping Norton centre of excellence.

“We recently had a cross-country grass roots event on July 13 where 180 children participated across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire in Chipping Norton.”

BOXING

Mel Corrigan, 57, president of Berinsfield Amateur Boxing Club: “The Olympics have been great for boxing, especially because of the success we had at the Games. It’s done wonders for girls and we now get girls who want to come and box, whereas before they just wanted to train.

“We recently had two girls, Chloe Dorringe, 14, and Niamh McGuckin, 14, who went to Manchester for a boxing boot camp – so that shows the success we’re having. We had lots of people come in the aftermath of the Olympics, but it did even out a bit.

“We run sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and have a night for ladies on Monday.

“The club is doing really well and is coming up to its 20th anniversary since it was re-formed in 1994.”