Membership of English sport clubs: A dynamic panel data analysis of the trickle-down effect

Investments in elite sport and major sporting events are often justified policy by various rationales, one of which is a ‘trickle-down’ effect whereby successful athletes have positive impact on general participation rates. This likely to be greater when hosting events, as home advantage can contribute success. The purpose this research explore the possibility trickle-down sports club membership United Kingdom context 2012 London Olympic Games. Secondary data were collected levels 33 sports, over ten-year period, from 2007–2016 (n = 330). Sporting success was measured number gold medals won international competitions, hosted UK, results BBC’s Sports Personality Year award (SPOTY). outcomes dynamic panel regression analysis show causal relationship between four-year period.