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 get involved in sport. In response, she has called for the long‑standing 3 pm television blackout on women’s football to be lifted, arguing that doing so would help inspire a new generation of female athletes. The CMS Committee, which scrutinises government policy, spending and administration, recently published a comprehensive "Game On" report.
The study paints a mixed picture of how well community and school sport programmes are meeting the needs of the English population. While some initiatives are working well, many gaps remain, especially for school‑aged girls who often encounter cultural, logistical and institutional hurdles that discourage participation.
Among the report’s many recommendations are practical steps designed to boost participation rates and increase overall activity levels across all age groups. A key focus is the removal of specific barriers that affect girls in particular. The Committee’s evidence‑gathering revealed a clear link between the visibility of women’s sport on television and the motivation of girls to become active.
When young females see women’s football broadcast, they are more likely to feel inspired and consider taking part themselves. Currently, UK law—dating back more than half a century—prohibits the live broadcast of any football match that starts at 3 pm on a Saturday.
This rule was originally intended to protect attendance at lower‑league men’s games, but it now also blocks live coverage of women’s fixtures. The CMS Committee argues that the rule is outdated and that lifting it would provide a valuable free‑to‑air slot for women’s football, giving the sport a regular platform and encouraging girls to engage with the game.
In addition to the TV blackout, the Committee urges the government to pass legislation requiring local councils and housing associations to remove "No Ball Games" signs from public open spaces and residential estates. By reclaiming these areas for play, communities can create more opportunities for informal sport and recreation, which are especially important for children who may not have access to organized clubs. Speaking to Sky Sports about the findings, Dame Caroline highlighted the broader context: "People across the country love sport, yet there are still far too many barriers that prevent them from trying it themselves.
Whether it’s in schools, clubs or community settings, the obstacles are real and often disproportionately affect girls once they reach puberty." She noted that many girls begin to drop out of school sport at this stage, and some even miss school entirely on days when sport activities are scheduled. To address this, the Committee’s recommendations include a suite of measures aimed at schools.
These proposals call for a more inclusive physical education (PE) curriculum that prioritises enjoyment, comfort, and a welcoming atmosphere for all students. Schools should be required to deliver at least two hours of high‑quality PE each week, ensuring that every pupil has the chance to be physically active for at least one hour per day. The report also stresses the need for better teacher training in PE, as well as a reassessment of school sports kit and uniform policies. By focusing on comfort, inclusivity and dignity, these changes would particularly benefit girls and children with special educational needs (SEND), making it easier for them to participate fully.
Beyond the school environment, Dame Caroline has called on the government to commit to stable, long‑term funding for both school‑based and community sport programmes. She argues that investing in sport yields significant social and economic returns, ultimately reducing pressure on health and welfare budgets.
The Committee points out that the United Kingdom currently spends only 0.3 percent of total government expenditure on sport and recreation—well below the average of other European nations. Their recommendation is to double this share to at least 0.6 percent over the next decade, effectively raising the annual budget from roughly £3.8 billion to £7.6 billion. By increasing funding, improving facilities, and adopting a cross‑government strategy focused on health and wellbeing, the UK could create a healthier, more active population.
The Committee contends that such investment would not only benefit individual citizens but also deliver broader economic advantages through reduced healthcare costs and a more vibrant, productive society. In summary, the CMS Select Committee’s "Game On" report calls for a multi‑pronged approach: lift the 3 pm Saturday blackout for women’s football, reclaim public spaces for play, overhaul school PE curricula, enhance teacher training, revise uniform policies, and double government spending on sport. These steps aim to dismantle the barriers that keep girls away from sport and to foster a culture where physical activity is accessible, enjoyable, and inclusive for everyone.