Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP and chair of the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee, has warned that young girls in England face an excessive number of obstacles when trying to take part in sport. In response, she has advocated for the abolition of the long‑standing 3 p.m. television blackout that currently prevents live broadcasts of women’s football matches on Saturday afternoons. The CMS Committee, which scrutinises government policy, spending and administration, recently published a comprehensive "Game On" report.
The paper paints a mixed picture of how effectively community and school sport meet the needs of the English population. While some initiatives are working, many gaps remain, especially for school‑aged girls who are disproportionately discouraged from staying active. Among the report’s many practical recommendations are measures designed to boost participation rates and raise overall activity levels across all age groups.
A key focus is the removal of specific barriers that deter girls from engaging in sport during their formative years. The Committee’s evidence‑gathering revealed a clear link between televised women’s sport and increased inspiration among girls, leading to a higher likelihood that they will try sports themselves.
Consequently, the Committee has called for the 3 p.m. Saturday broadcast restriction on women’s football to be lifted. Under current UK legislation, which dates back roughly half a century, no football match that kicks off at 3 p.m. on a Saturday may be shown live on television.
This rule was originally intended to protect the commercial interests of the men’s game, but it now unintentionally suppresses visibility for the women’s game and hampers its growth. By allowing women’s matches to fill the blackout window, the Committee believes that young girls will see role models on screen, feel a stronger connection to the sport, and be more motivated to participate.
In addition to the broadcast issue, the Committee urges the government to pass legislation that would require local councils and housing associations to remove "No Ball Games" signage from public open spaces and residential estates. Such signs often discourage informal play, limiting opportunities for children—especially girls—to use community areas for sport and recreation. During an interview with Sky Sports, Dame Caroline elaborated on the breadth of the report’s findings.
She noted, "We know that people in our nation love sport, yet there are far too many barriers that keep them from getting involved themselves, whether in schools, clubs or community settings. As children reach puberty, we see a sharp decline in participation, particularly among girls, who may even skip school on days when sport is scheduled." She continued, "Our recommendations range from technical reforms—like ending the 3 p.m. blackout for women’s football—to broader cultural shifts in how we deliver physical education.
The blackout, which runs from about 2:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
on Saturdays, should be repurposed for women’s games on free‑to‑air channels. This idea was already endorsed in the Karen Carney review, and the FA has recognised the potential benefits of a regular broadcast slot for the women’s game." Other proposals in the report target schools directly. The Committee recommends that schools adopt a more inclusive PE curriculum that prioritises enjoyment, comfort and a welcoming atmosphere for all pupils.
They should guarantee a minimum of two hours of high‑quality physical education each week, ensuring that every student has at least one hour of physical activity daily. To achieve this, teachers need better training in delivering inclusive PE, and school uniform and kit policies should be revised to focus on comfort, inclusivity and dignity—changes that would especially aid girls and children with special educational needs (SEND) in taking part. Dame Caroline also called on the government to provide stable, long‑term funding for both school‑based and community sport programmes, improve facilities, and develop a cross‑government strategy aimed at fostering a healthier nation.
The Committee argues that investing in sport yields social and economic returns, ultimately reducing pressure on health and welfare budgets. The report highlights that the UK lags behind the average European spending on sport and recreation.
Currently, sport receives just 0.3 % of total government expenditure. The Committee recommends doubling this share to at least 0.6 % over the next decade, effectively raising the annual budget from roughly £3.8 billion to £7.6 billion. This increased investment would support infrastructure upgrades, coaching development, and community programmes that make sport more accessible to everyone, especially girls. In summary, the CMS Select Committee’s "Game On" report presents a multi‑faceted plan to dismantle the structural and cultural barriers that keep girls from participating in sport.
By ending the 3 p.m. TV blackout for women’s football, removing restrictive signage on public land, revamping school PE curricula, and substantially boosting public funding, the UK can create a more inclusive sporting environment.
Such changes are expected to inspire a new generation of female athletes, improve public health outcomes, and generate broader economic benefits for the country. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k!
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