The number of individuals joining boxing and archery clubs has surged in the past year – with both sports increasing their base by over a third.

According to Sport England statistics released with the publication of last week’s Active People Survey, the number of people joining boxing clubs mushroomed by 39.2 per cent from 28,600 in March 2015, to 39,800 in March 2016.

However, the sport still has some catching up to do to reach the 53,000 level of membership that clubs enjoyed in October 2014.

Archery also grew its club members by a third, with a 33.2 per cent upsurge year-on-year to 33,300 club members, while netball and cricket grew their club base by 13.9 per cent and 13.8 per cent to 97,600 and 148,800 respectively.

In a recent interview with Sports Management, England Netball chief executive Joanna Adams said that the organisation’s Back to Netball initiative was helping transition participants into full club members.

In fact, the Active People Survey revealed in several instances that increased club membership has a correlation with increased participation. Boxing saw its number of participants increase from 136,700 in March 2015 to 159,100, while netball and cricket saw similar results, although curiously, archery participation numbers dipped slightly.

Equestrianism saw the biggest plunge in club members over the year, from 35,700 in March 2015 to 22,700 in March 2016, although participation increased over the year from 279,300 to 289,900.