Culture, Media and Sport Committee - Select Committee Announcement
LOW PARTICIPATION RATES BY WOMEN IN SPORT A CAUSE OF SERIOUS CONCERN FOR THE FUTURE HEALTH OF THE NATION
Adapting sports to the lifestyles of girls and women is the key
In a report on Women and Sport published today, Friday 25 July 2014, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee expresses concern about the long-term health and social care implications of the low participation rates in sport by women and girls, and urges a more imaginative approach by schools, sports governing bodies and relevant government departments to engaging women in sport. The Committee is especially concerned that many girls are put off sport by their experience of school games lessons, and it focuses a number of its recommendations on making school sport more appealing to girls.
Almost without exception, whether the comparison is made by ethnic group, income status or age, women and girls are less likely to participate in sport than men. Women’s sport has for too long been seen as an add-on to men’s sport, of less interest to both male and female spectators, and even, among some people, as unfeminine. Girls give up sport at an earlier age than boys, and are less likely than men to sustain participation into adulthood, as other responsibilities reduce leisure time. Even for those who do want to continue to participate, there are problems of accessibility, availability of suitable facilities and cost.
At elite level, there has until recently been a reluctance in the media to cover women’s sport, which arguably has dampened potential interest among spectators and possible commercial sponsors, which in turn has led to low interest amongst the media. This situation was already changing before the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, but the successes of UK sportswomen in 2012 have given an impetus to the media to cover women’s sport. However, more work is needed to entrench the virtuous circle of good media coverage/higher spectator or viewer engagement/greater sponsorship and a more attractive product/greater media interest.
