In this section
Let’s talk about Sport: a report
To understand more about what Londoners want to see in the new London Museum, we commissioned a survey asking Londoners specifically about Sport.
In November 2022, the Museum of London commissioned Sporting Heritage, the UK Specialist Network for Sport, to conduct research around the representation of Sport in the new London Museum, in our collections, our galleries and what Sport means to Londoners.
The museum wanted to understand if and how Londoners would like to see sport included in the London Museum and explore further how we could:
- identify currently under-represented stories of London that the sports theme can bring to the fore
- understand the nature of London’s sporting subcultures and the emotions they elicit, including supporters and participants
- highlight how migration, age, gender and dis/ability influence the sports that are practised, and the resonance they hold for participants and supporters
- explore the complexity of identity in modern day London
- inform how sport should be represented in displays, in our permanent galleries or manifested in the London Museum’s live programme in relevant and meaningful ways to Londoners.
Sporting Heritage launched a survey that engaged 939 Londoners, capturing their views, stories and suggestions on how we could represent Sport in the new London Museum.
The Mayor of London’s Sport for Stronger Communities Report defines the term ‘sport’ as not limited to organised physical games and events that often include an element of competition. It also means various kinds of physical activities that bring people entertainment, enjoyment and relaxation, such as dance, yoga and running. The museum’s survey engaged Londoners who participate in sport actively (as in taking part) and passively (as spectators). We are interested in Londoners’ experience of Sport. This report analyses the findings and the recommendations by the community.
The cover page and page 6 of the Sport report, indicating how Londoners want the history of sport to be told.
The findings demonstrate that a strong focus on Sport at the new London Museum will be both popular and thought-provoking. It will provide opportunities to reflect on the diversity of London and Londoners through their relationships with sport, and a chance to share the importance of sport with individuals and communities alike. It was clear that by building an interactive museum experience, with off-site outreach, the London Museum should approach sport as being a central pillar in the lives of Londoners, pulling out themes and stories that explain how sport has developed in the city, and the impact it has had on Londoners, their communities, and the world at large.
Download the full PDF report (5.2MB) here.
