Youngsters in deprived areas priced out of sporting activites

A report published by the London School of Economics and StreetGames has found that young people who live in poverty cannot afford to play sport because the cost of taking part is too high.

Moving the Goalposts, written by researchers from the London School of Economics’ Centre for Analysis for Social Exclusion (CASE), saw young people aged 16-25 from five of the most deprived areas in England and Wales interviewed about sports provision in their local area.

The cost of playing sport was identified as the biggest barrier for young people. Researchers found that there is a desire to do activities like going to the gym or playing team sports but both can be too expensive.

The report also found that once young people leave school their involvement in sport and social clubs and activities wanes. This, coupled with the finding that young people fear using local parks as sports facilities, means young people are more likely to “hang-out” rather than engage in physical activity.

The report recommends that:
• School facilities be made available to wider groups in the community out of hours
• More free and cheap sport provision should be provided, with concessionary rates for over-19s
• More informal but organised activities with increased supervision to give people the confidence to go and take part safely
• More investment in solo sports such as cycling, skating, swimming and jogging
• Taster classes, community events and female-only sessions introduced

These recommendations echo the call made by the Alliance in its Minister To-Do List, which called on all local authorities to create, protect and utilise accessible places where people can be active.

To read the full Moving the Goalposts report, click here.