RAF Sport Generates
£17.3m in Social Value

Sport and Physical Activity provides £17.3 million in Social Value to RAF.

A new report commissioned by the RAF Central Fund has once again demonstrated the powerful role that sport and physical activity plays in supporting the wellbeing of RAF personnel and generating measurable social value across the service.

Building on the findings of the original study, the latest analysis – delivered in partnership with 4GLOBAL and aligned with Sport England’s updated national model for measuring the social value of sport and physical activity – provides a more detailed and robust understanding of how participation contributes to both individual wellbeing and wider societal benefits.

The updated report shows that participation in sport and physical activity across RAF Sport Associations generates an estimated £17.3 million in social value each year, based on engagement from more than 14,000 personnel.

This figure reflects improvements in wellbeing, reductions in health risks, and wider savings to healthcare systems – demonstrating the substantial return generated through investment in sport and physical activity within the RAF.

Importantly, the report highlights that wellbeing outcomes account for the vast majority of this value, with improved life satisfaction contributing more than £15 million annually.

The findings reinforce the role sport plays not only in strengthening operational readiness and physical fitness, but also in building healthier, more resilient and connected RAF communities.

Key Findings of the Updated Report

The latest analysis offers deeper insights into how sport and physical activity continue to benefit RAF personnel:

• Significant Social Value Generated Through Participation
  Across RAF Sport Associations, participation from 14,132 personnel generated an estimated £17.3 million in social value over a 12-month period, equating to £1,225 of social value per participant each year. This demonstrates the considerable societal return created through the RAF’s continued support of sport and physical activity.
• Wellbeing Remains the Primary Driver of Value
  The largest share of social value – around £15.2 million – comes from improved individual wellbeing, including enhanced life satisfaction and mental health benefits linked to regular participation in physical activity.
• Female Participants Deliver Higher Value Per Person
  Consistent with the previous report, female personnel continue to generate higher social value per participant. The latest findings show that female participants produce 94% more social value per person than males, reflecting the significant health benefits associated with increased activity levels.
• Older Personnel Continue to Lead in Participation Impact
  Personnel aged 55 and over generate the highest average social value per person, producing around £1,552 annually, highlighting the importance of maintaining physical activity throughout a military career and into later service life.
• Health Benefits and Reduced Healthcare Demand
  Participation in sport and physical activity contributes to measurable reductions in the risk of several chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and depression. These outcomes translate into more than £2 million in physical and mental health value, alongside reduced demand on healthcare services.
• Building on a Strong Foundation
  The updated report also reflects improvements in how the impact of sport and physical activity is measured. Using the latest national social value model developed by Sport England and academic partners, the analysis incorporates updated health data, broader wellbeing measures and more detailed participation insights. This enhanced methodology allows the RAF Central Fund and its partners to better understand and demonstrate the tangible benefits that sport delivers across the service.

Reflecting on the findings, Ross Perriam, RAF Central Fund CEO, said: “The latest social value analysis reinforces what we see every day across the RAF – that sport and physical activity play a vital role in supporting the wellbeing, resilience and effectiveness of RAF personnel.

Generating an estimated £17.3 million in social value each year demonstrates the profound impact that participation in sport can have, from improving life satisfaction to reducing health risks and strengthening the sense of community within the RAF.

By continuing to invest in opportunities for personnel to take part in sport and physical activity, we are supporting not only the health and happiness of RAF personnel, but also the wider social value that these activities create for the RAF community.”

The RAF Central Fund remains committed to supporting and expanding opportunities for sport and physical activity for all serving personnel, ensuring that at every stage of their career they can experience the benefits of staying active.