A new report commissioned to measure the real value of an organisation set up to deliver sports and leisure opportunities, has concluded that it is meeting its main objectives and making a real contribution to the people and economy of Fife.

Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, the leading provider of sports and leisure facilities in Fife, was established in 2008 to manage and operate Fife Council's leisure centres with the aim of providing opportunities for customers to enjoy regular participation in sport and recreation as part of a physically active lifestyle.

The report, which looks at the years since it began operation, concludes that not only has the trust managed to get more people, more active, it has been successful in reaching key target groups such as children and young people under 18, adults and parents, as well as older people.

Figures show that attendance levels to the trust's facilities have grown year on year, with around 7.7 million recorded up to March 2012.

The trust's success in attracting children and young people aged between five and 17 years was highlighted in the report, noting that during 2011-12 there was a 47 per cent increase in attendance from this group compared with 2008, when the organisation first took over the operation of the leisure centres.

With only 11 per cent of girls and 19 per cent of boys meeting the Scottish Government's physical activity targets on a national basis, the trust's work to engage with this key priority group is having a positive local impact.

In addition, there has been a 72 per cent increase in the number of adults and parents using the leisure facilities since 2008, the majority of these users are members of the trust's low-cost membership scheme, Leisure Active.

The report also highlighted a 26 per cent increase in older adults using the facilities over the same period.

The introduction of Leisure Active and the trust's investment programme to refurbish facilities - in particular its gyms - have played a significant part in attracting more customers through its doors.

The report goes on to highlight which activities and leisure centres are most popular across the region: swimming is the clear favourite for Fifers, followed by Leisure Active usage and football, with the now closed Fife Institute of Physical Recreation and Education, Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre, Duloch and Levenmouth the most well-attended centres.

As one of the largest employers in Fife, and a significant purchaser of goods and services, the report concludes that the trust also has a significant economic benefit to the region.

Self-funded health and physical activity programmes delivered by the trust, in partnership with NHS Fife, were highlighted by the report for their success in improving long-term health conditions. The Trust's long-running programmes such as Active Options and cardiac rehabilitation provide community-based support which in turn helps ease the pressure on hospital and clinical services.

For the 12 months up to March 2012, 47,462 Fifers attended the trust's leisure facilities to participate in its health and activity programmes helping to improve symptoms relating to their conditions and reduce the number of people being readmitted to hospital.

Ed Watson, chief executive of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust said: "This is the first time the trust has commissioned a report to measure its performance and impact – it's very rewarding to see that the efforts of the past four years are having such a positive impact on the communities of Fife.

"The trust aims to provide quality leisure facilities which are affordable and accessible to help people enjoy the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle.

"Our efforts to widen participation in sport and physical activity have been successful, however we are aware that this challenge is on-going and we will continue to target groups such as those in more deprived areas.

"The trust is very proud of its specialist programmes to support those with long-term health conditions, overwhelmingly; the people who attend the classes report a benefit thanks to classes provided by our specially-trained staff.

"With the opening of two new leisure centres in Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy this year, the trust has lots to offer local communities and we look forward to continuing to deliver our objectives for the people of Fife."