Olympic sheen helps Scots clubs but barriers to top of sport remain
Figures in the survey, conducted among Sported’s member groups across the country, found that 41% of local clubs in Scotland polled said they agreed that investment made into success at Olympics and Paralympics impacts positively on grassroots sport.
Just 24% of respondents disagreed.
The most common reason groups cited as a reason why young people at their group who want to progress in elite sport aren’t able to do so was the cost of participation (74%). Over half of respondents pointed to a lack of satisfactory facilities (59%).
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And economic factors threaten the ability of our next generation to get involved at a grassroots level, Sported’s insight shows.
“My parents gave me everything they could, they gave me their time, they gave me what they could,” said Paisley’s Olympic men’s sprint cycling medal hopeful Jack Carlin said. “But they didn't have the money to spend ridiculous amount of money on bikes and that was just how it was.
“A bike shop helped me out, and I worked there on a Saturday just to almost repay them. That was crucial but unfortunately now, it's becoming an affluent sport. We have to make sure we give young people a safe place to move out of where they're from and progress their life and open their eyes to new ideas.”
With 84% of groups meeting government goals of getting inactive kids active, over half of those polled reported that young people had disengaged from, or reduced participation, in sport and physical activity in the last six months because of cost-of-living pressures.
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Hide AdCosts such as fees, kit and travel are among the central factors in creating barriers that threaten their ability to keep taking part.
“Having had the opportunity to be involved from a young age, it certainly allowed me the chance to grow both socially and physically throughout my childhood,” said David Ames, who will captain Great Britain’s men’s hockey team at the Paris Olympics.
“Having been someone who has enjoyed all sorts of sporting activities, I was able to enjoy all the benefits that community sports presented. Seeing the impact and progression over the last decade has made it so much accessible for kids to connect together at whatever sport they want to enjoy.”
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