Removing Barriers to Women's Football: End the 3pm TV Blackout

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media, Sport Select Committee, argues that numerous obstacles hinder young girls' participation in sports in England. To address this, she advocates for the removal of the 3pm TV blackout for women's football, citing its potential to inspire and motivate girls to engage in physical activity. The Committee's Game On report highlights a mixed picture of community and school sports in meeting the needs of the English population. It proposes practical recommendations to boost activity levels and participation across all age groups, with a particular focus on school-age girls. The report suggests that broadcasting women's football during the 3pm Saturday slot could encourage girls to participate in sports. Currently, UK legislation prohibits the live broadcast of football matches that kick off at 3pm on Saturdays. The Committee also recommends that the government should pass legislation to remove 'No Ball Games' signs from public open land and housing estates, allowing people to reclaim these spaces for recreational activities. Dame Caroline emphasized that despite the nation's love for sports, numerous barriers prevent people from participating. She noted that many young people, especially girls, drop out of school sports or miss school on days when sports are scheduled. To address this, the Committee has made several recommendations, including removing the 3pm TV blackout for women's football and using this time slot to broadcast women's games on free-to-air TV. The FA has acknowledged the potential benefits of a regular broadcast slot for the women's game. Other recommendations include requiring schools to deliver a more inclusive physical education curriculum, ensuring pupils participate in at least 2 hours of high-quality physical education per week, and providing better training for teachers. The Committee also urges the government to commit to stable funding for school and community sports, improve facilities, and develop a cross-government strategy to promote a healthier nation. By investing in sports, the government can reap significant social and economic benefits, leading to substantial savings in health and welfare budgets. The report highlights that the UK trails behind other European countries in terms of investment in sports and recreation, recommending that the government increase its spending from 0.3% to at least 0.6% of total government expenditure over the next decade.