Breaking Down Barriers: End TV Blackout of Women's Football to Boost Participation

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media, Sport Select Committee, emphasizes that numerous obstacles hinder young girls in England from engaging in sports. To address this issue, she advocates for the elimination of the 3pm TV blackout for women's football. A recent report by the CMS Committee, titled Game On, reveals a mixed picture of community and school sports in meeting the needs of the English population. The report proposes practical recommendations to increase participation and activity levels across all age groups, with a particular focus on school-age girls. It suggests that broadcasting women's football during the 3pm Saturday slot could inspire and motivate girls to be more active. Currently, UK legislation prohibits the live broadcast of football matches that kick off at 3pm on Saturdays. The Committee also urges the government to pass legislation requiring councils and housing associations to remove 'No Ball Games' signs from public open land and housing estates, thereby reclaiming these spaces for recreational activities. Dame Caroline notes that despite the nation's love for sports, numerous barriers prevent people from participating. She highlights that many young people, especially girls, drop out of school sports or miss school on sports days once they reach puberty. The proposed recommendations include removing the 3pm blackout for women's football on Saturday television, delivering a more inclusive PE curriculum in schools, and providing better training for PE teachers. Additionally, the report suggests that schools should ensure pupils engage in at least 2 hours of high-quality PE per week, with every pupil having the opportunity to be physically active for at least one hour daily. The Committee argues that investing in sports can yield significant social and economic benefits, leading to savings in health and welfare budgets. The report also recommends that the government increase its expenditure on sport and recreation from 0.3% to at least 0.6% over the next decade.