Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP and chair of the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee, has warned that young girls in England face far too many obstacles when trying to take part in sport. In response, she has called for the long‑standing 3 p.m. television blackout on women’s football to be scrapped, arguing that doing so would help remove a key barrier to participation.
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 well community and school sport currently meet the needs of the English population. While some programmes are thriving, many others fall short, especially for school‑aged girls who often encounter cultural, logistical and infrastructural hurdles that discourage them from staying active.
Among the many practical recommendations aimed at boosting participation across all ages, the Committee singled out the 3 p.m. Saturday broadcast restriction as a priority. Evidence gathered during the inquiry shows that when women’s sport is shown on television, girls are more likely to feel inspired, see role models, and develop a desire to engage in physical activity themselves.
The existing law—originating from a 50‑year‑old piece of legislation—prohibits any live broadcast of football matches that kick off at 3 p.m. on a Saturday, regardless of gender. The Committee argues that this outdated rule disproportionately harms the women’s game and, by extension, the girls who look up to its players.
In addition to the broadcast issue, the report urges the government to legislate against "No Ball Games" signs that appear on public open spaces and in housing estates. Such signage effectively bans informal play, limiting the availability of safe, accessible areas where children—particularly girls—can practice sport and recreation. Removing these signs would reclaim public land for community use and encourage spontaneous, inclusive play.
Speaking to Sky Sports about the findings, Dame Caroline highlighted the broader context: "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 themselves. Whether that’s in school, in clubs or in our community, the obstacles are real and numerous." She went on to explain that many young people, especially girls, begin to drop out of school‑based sport as they reach puberty.
In some cases, they even miss school entirely on days when sport activities are scheduled, underscoring how the current system can alienate rather than engage. To address these challenges, the Committee has put forward a suite of recommendations: 1. **Abolish the 3 p.m. blackout for women’s football.** The proposed change would open a dedicated slot on free‑to‑air television from roughly 2:45 p.m.
to 5:15 p.m. on Saturdays, allowing women’s matches to be shown live. This recommendation echoes the earlier Karen Carney review and has the backing of the Football Association, which recognises the potential benefits of a regular broadcast window for the women's game. 2.
**Revise school physical education (PE).** Schools should be required and supported to deliver a more inclusive PE curriculum that prioritises enjoyment, comfort and a welcoming environment for all pupils. The report calls for a minimum of two hours of high‑quality PE each week, with every child having at least one hour of daily physical activity.
3. **Improve teacher training and uniform policies.** PE teachers need better professional development to deliver engaging, inclusive lessons. Uniform and kit policies should be re‑examined to ensure they promote comfort, dignity and inclusivity—particularly for girls and students with special educational needs (SEND). 4.
**Secure stable funding for sport.** Dame Caroline urges the government to commit to consistent investment in school and community sport, upgrade facilities, and develop a cross‑government strategy aimed at a healthier nation. The Committee notes that investment in sport yields social and economic returns, ultimately reducing pressure on health and welfare budgets. 5. **Increase the share of public spending on sport.** The report points out that the UK lags behind many European neighbours, allocating only 0.3 % of total government expenditure to sport and recreation.
It recommends raising this figure to at least 0.6 % over the next decade, effectively doubling the current £3.8 billion budget to about £7.6 billion. The Committee’s analysis underscores that sport is not merely a leisure activity; it is a vital public health tool, a catalyst for social cohesion, and an engine for economic productivity. By removing the 3 p.m. blackout, encouraging the use of public spaces for play, and strengthening school PE, the UK can create a more equitable sporting landscape that invites girls to participate from a young age and stay involved throughout their lives.
In summary, the CMS Select Committee’s "Game On" report calls for decisive action: eliminate the outdated broadcast restriction, open up public spaces for play, overhaul school PE to be more inclusive, and double public spending on sport. These steps, the Committee argues, will help dismantle the barriers that currently keep many girls from experiencing the benefits of sport, ultimately fostering a healthier, more active generation. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £250k! Enter for free.