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 is urging lawmakers to scrap the long‑standing 3 pm 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 study paints a mixed picture of how well community‑based and school‑based sport meets 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 programmes. Among the report’s many practical recommendations are measures designed to boost participation rates across all age groups and to raise overall activity levels. A key focus, however, is the removal of the 3 pm Saturday blackout for women’s football. Evidence gathered during the Committee’s inquiry shows that when women’s sport is shown on television, it inspires girls and young women, increasing their likelihood of taking up sport themselves.
The current law, which dates back more than half a century, bans any live broadcast of football matches that start at 3 pm on a Saturday, regardless of gender. By lifting this restriction, the Committee believes that women’s games could be aired on free‑to‑air channels, providing visible role models for a generation of potential female athletes.
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 remove "No Ball Games" signs from public open spaces and residential estates. Such signs often discourage informal play and limit the use of communal areas for sport, effectively depriving children of safe places to be active. Speaking to Sky Sports about the breadth of the report, Dame Caroline highlighted the urgency of the situation.
She noted that while the nation loves sport, a multitude of barriers keep people—particularly girls—away from participation. "Whether it’s in schools, clubs or community settings, too many obstacles prevent young people from simply getting up and trying something new," she said. "As children reach puberty, we see a sharp decline in girls’ involvement in school sport, and in some cases, they even skip school entirely on days when sport activities are scheduled." To address these challenges, the Committee proposes a series of bold steps. The most high‑profile recommendation is the elimination of the 3 pm blackout for women’s football on Saturdays.
The suggested window, roughly from 2:45 pm to 5:15 pm, would be repurposed to showcase women’s matches on free‑to‑air television. This idea was previously endorsed by the Karen Carney review, and the Football Association has acknowledged that a regular broadcast slot would bring significant benefits to the women’s game, including greater visibility, sponsorship opportunities, and a stronger fan base. Other recommendations target the school environment directly.
The report urges that schools adopt a more inclusive physical education (PE) curriculum that prioritises enjoyment, comfort and a welcoming atmosphere for all students. It calls for a minimum of two hours of high‑quality PE each week, ensuring every pupil has at least one hour of daily physical activity. To make this feasible, teachers would need enhanced training in PE delivery, and school uniform and kit policies should be revised to focus on comfort, inclusivity and dignity.
Such changes would be especially beneficial for girls and children with special educational needs (SEND), who often face additional barriers to participation. Dame Caroline also pressed the government to guarantee stable funding for both school‑based and community sport programmes. She argued that investing in sport yields social and economic returns, ultimately reducing pressure on health and welfare budgets. The report points out that the UK currently spends only 0.3 percent of total government expenditure on sport and recreation—well below the European average.
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. By increasing funding, improving facilities, and implementing a cross‑government strategy focused on health and activity, the Committee believes the nation can achieve a healthier, more active population.
The anticipated benefits include lower healthcare costs, improved mental well‑being, and stronger community cohesion. In summary, the CMS Select Committee’s "Game On" report calls for a multi‑pronged approach to dismantle the barriers that keep girls and women away from sport. Central to this vision is the removal of the 3 pm Saturday TV blackout for women’s football, allowing live broadcasts that can inspire the next generation. Coupled with reforms in school PE, the elimination of restrictive signage on public land, and a significant boost in public spending on sport, these measures aim to create a more inclusive, active, and healthier England for all.