The chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, has warned that young girls in England face far too many obstacles when trying to take part in sport. In response, she is urging lawmakers to scrap the long‑standing 3 p.m.
television blackout that currently prevents live broadcasts of women’s football matches on Saturday afternoons. The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee, which scrutinises government policy, spending and administration, recently published a comprehensive "Game On" report. The document paints a mixed picture of how well community and school sport are meeting the needs of the English population.
While some initiatives are working, many gaps remain, especially for school‑aged girls who are often the most vulnerable to dropping out of physical activity. The report offers a series of practical recommendations designed to boost participation rates and raise overall activity levels across all age groups.
Among the most striking findings is the identification of specific barriers that discourage girls from staying involved in sport once they reach puberty. These barriers range from a lack of role models on television to restrictive school policies and inadequate facilities in public spaces. One of the key proposals put forward by the CMS Committee is the removal of the 3 p.m. Saturday broadcast restriction for women’s football.
Evidence gathered during the committee’s inquiry shows that when girls can watch women’s matches on free‑to‑air TV, they are more likely to feel inspired and motivated to become active themselves. The current law, which dates back half a century, bans any live football broadcast in the UK that starts at 3 p.m.
on a Saturday, regardless of gender. By lifting this ban for the women’s game, the committee believes a regular, high‑visibility slot could be created, giving young girls a tangible example of female athletes competing at the highest level. In addition to the broadcast issue, the committee is calling on the government to pass legislation that would require local councils and housing associations to take down "No Ball Games" signs that often appear on public parks and residential estates.
Such signs effectively turn valuable open space into dead zones for play, limiting opportunities for children—especially girls and those with special educational needs—to engage in informal sport and recreation. Speaking to Sky Sports about the breadth of the report, Dame Caroline emphasized the urgency of tackling these obstacles. "We know that people in our nation love sport, but there are simply too many barriers that stop them from getting up and trying it for themselves," she said.
"Whether it’s in schools, clubs or community settings, the obstacles are real and they disproportionately affect girls as they move through puberty." She highlighted a worrying trend: many young people, particularly girls, are dropping out of school‑based sport programmes or even missing school on days when sport activities are scheduled. To address this, the committee has outlined several recommendations: * **Abolish the 3 p.m. blackout for women’s football.** The proposed window—roughly 2:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
on Saturdays—should be used to showcase women’s matches on free‑to‑air channels, providing a regular broadcast slot that mirrors the visibility enjoyed by men’s football. * **Introduce a more inclusive PE curriculum.** Schools should be required and supported to deliver physical education that prioritises enjoyment, comfort and a welcoming atmosphere for all pupils. * **Increase mandatory high‑quality PE time.** Every student should receive at least two hours of high‑quality PE each week, with the goal of ensuring that each child is physically active for at least one hour per day.
* **Enhance teacher training and resources.** PE teachers need better training, and schools should revisit uniform and kit policies to focus on comfort, inclusivity and dignity—particularly important for girls and children with SEND (Special Educational Needs). * **Secure stable funding for sport.** The committee urges the government to commit to consistent investment in school and community sport facilities, recognising that sport delivers social and economic returns that can reduce future health and welfare costs. The report also points out that the United Kingdom lags behind the average spending levels of other European nations when it comes to sport and recreation.
Currently, sport accounts for just 0.3 percent of total government expenditure. The committee recommends doubling this share to at least 0.6 percent over the next decade, effectively raising the annual budget from £3.8 billion to £7.6 billion. This increase would fund better facilities, more qualified staff, and broader community programmes, all of which are essential for creating a healthier, more active population.
By removing the broadcast blackout, the government would not only give women’s football a dedicated platform but also provide a powerful visual cue for girls across the country: sport is for them, too. The visibility of female athletes on television can spark aspirations, encourage participation, and ultimately help close the gender gap in physical activity. Dame Caroline’s call to action is clear: dismantle outdated restrictions, invest in inclusive sport infrastructure, and create a cultural environment where every child—regardless of gender, ability or background—feels welcome on the playing field.
The committee’s recommendations, if adopted, could pave the way for a more equitable and vibrant sporting future for England’s girls and women. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k!
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