Teenage girls across the United Kingdom are experiencing a 'postcode lottery' when it comes to engaging in sport, with a stark disparity in participation levels compared to boys. New research from consultancy Public First indicates that girls in urban areas are missing out on 100 minutes of exercise each week, a gap that narrows slightly to 75 minutes in rural communities.
The detailed analysis, which mapped the sports participation gap across all 650 UK parliamentary constituencies, revealed significant inequalities. While the national average shows girls aged 11-18 play 84 minutes less sport weekly than boys, this figure varies dramatically by location. Constituencies in the West Midlands and north-east of England exhibit the widest average participation gaps, contrasting with smaller discrepancies found in the south-east, north-west, and Scotland. For instance, the gap ranges from almost negligible in parts of Cumbria to over two-and-a-half hours per week in Birmingham Perry Barr.
Public First's findings also highlight that participation gaps are more pronounced among girls from ethnic minority backgrounds. The consultancy attributes these regional inequalities to a combination of factors, including safety concerns, social barriers, a greater reliance on organised sporting activities, and limited access to suitable facilities. The research found that in areas with the lowest levels of sports provision, the participation gap is 46% wider than in places with the highest provision, underscoring girls' dependency on clubs, teams, and structured opportunities to be physically active.
The economic and health implications of this disparity are substantial. Public First estimates that enhancing teenage girls' access to sport could unlock over £640 million annually in economic benefits. This includes approximately £570 million through increased productivity and an additional £73 million in savings for the National Health Service (NHS).
The research was commissioned by broadcaster Sky, which last year launched a campaign advocating for equal access to sport as a legal requirement in publicly funded settings, such as schools and sports clubs receiving government grants. Jonathan Licht, Sky’s Chief Sports Officer for the UK and Ireland, stated that "Every girl should have the opportunity to experience the confidence, friendships and sense of belonging that sport can bring. Yet too many girls are still missing out, and this research shows the barriers they face are not the same everywhere."
Responding to the findings, the Sports Minister, Stephanie Peacock, emphasised the government's commitment. She stated, "Every girl deserves the chance to experience the benefits that sport can offer, but too many are still missing out. That’s why the government is investing £400 million to improve facilities across the country, with a focus on underrepresented groups including women and girls, and over £1 billion to help schools deliver sport."
Source: Public First