Chair of the Culture, Media, Sport Select Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, says that there are “too many” barriers for entry into sport for young girls in England and has called for the removal of the 3pm TV blackout in the women’s game.
The CMS Committee, which examines government policy, spending and administration have released a Game On report, have found a “patchy picture of how well community and school sport is meeting the needs of people in England.”
The report makes a series of practical recommendations aimed at increasing participation and boosting activity levels for people of all ages, but points to particular barriers for school-age girls.
The CMS Committee have also recommended that restrictions on broadcasting women’s football in the 3pm Saturday slot are removed following evidence to their inquiry that shows that when women’s sport is broadcast girls are more likely to feel inspired and motivated to be active.
Currently, no football matches in the UK that kick off at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon can be broadcast live under legislation that stretches back 50 years.
The Committee is additionally calling on the government to legislate to require councils and housing associations to remove “No Ball Games” signs on public open land or in housing estates, to reclaim public spaces for play.
Speaking to Sky Sports about the wide-ranging report, Dame Caroline said:
“We know that people in our nation love our sport, but that actually there are just too many barriers that stop them from getting up and giving things a go themselves. Whether that’s in school, in clubs or in our community.
“More and more young people, once they hit puberty and especially girls, are dropping out of school sport or are in some cases missing school altogether on the day that sport is happening.
“So we’ve made a range of recommendations. Some of them are really quite big and technical and like removing the 3pm blackout for women’s football on Saturday television.
“We think the 3pm TV blackout should go. The proposal is that the blackout, which runs from about 2.45pm to about quarter past five on a Saturday afternoon, should be used to show women’s games on free-to-air TV.
“It was recommended by the Karen Carney review and the FA have acknowledged that there’d be benefits for the women’s game in having their own regular broadcast slot.”
Other recommendations include that schools should be required and supported to deliver a more inclusive PE curriculum that prioritises enjoyment, comfort and a welcoming environment.
Schools in England should also ensure pupils take part in a minimum of 2 hours “high qualify” PE each week with every pupil having the chance to be physically active for at least one hour a day.
Alongside the schools themselves, teachers should be better trained in PE, while kit and uniform policies need re-thinking and should prioritise comfort, inclusivity and dignity, something that would particularly help girls and children with SEND (Special Educational Needs) take part in sport.
Dame Caroline has also urged the government to commit to stable funding for school and community sport, better facilities and a cross-government strategy to deliver a healthier nation, the Committee argues that investing in sport delivers social and economic benefits that will lead to significant savings in the health and welfare budgets.
The report also highlighted the UK lags behind the average of other European countries and recommends the government increase the 0.3 per cent share of total government expenditure on sport and recreation to at least 0.6 per cent over the next 10 years, that’s doubling the current £3.8 billion to £7.6bn.
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