Jump starts falling flat under grassroots squeeze

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Grassroots sport across the South West has called on government to do more to back local clubs with one Bristol group highlighting the risk if community hubs are lost to economic pressures.

New research from leading charity Sported has found that 87 per cent of clubs and groups surveyed in the region believe there isn’t enough investment into grassroots sport to back its impact at a community level. Only three per cent believed that there is enough investment.

And it comes as over two-thirds of those surveyed (67%) confirm that young people in their group have disengaged from, or reduced participation in, sport and physical activity over the past six months because they can no longer afford to travel to activities.

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The report, produced in conjunction with smart security company Ring, found being able to afford to participate was also cited as a major factor with 59% citing it as a barrier to young people taking part.

Sported CEO Sarah Kaye sees huge social value in grassroots sports groupsSported CEO Sarah Kaye sees huge social value in grassroots sports groups
Sported CEO Sarah Kaye sees huge social value in grassroots sports groups

Affordability for those renting facilities was a challenge (44%), with maintenance and upkeep (47%) a challenge for those owning their own facilities. Availability of facilities and limited space (both 42%) were also challenges for respondent groups.

When asked what they would raise with the nation’s Sports Minister, five key themes emerged in the Sported/Ring research.

Increasing funding for grassroots and community sport​; creating a more equitable funding model with more focus on community groups and their needs (as well as a wider variety of activities and sports)​; the affordability and accessibility of venues and facilities; ​expanding opportunities for participation across communities; and, ​ encouraging government representatives to visit groups and see their work in action 

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“Grassroots sport is an extraordinary tool for change in communities across the South West and its impact should not be underestimated,” said Sarah Kaye, CEO of Sported.

Community sport is under pressure due to a lack of investmentCommunity sport is under pressure due to a lack of investment
Community sport is under pressure due to a lack of investment

“It’s from clubs and groups across the region that the next Tom Daley and Ollie Watkins will come, however grassroots groups and clubs do not always get the recognition they deserve from government in creating real opportunities for our young people. All of them are addressing the challenge of cultivating a healthier society, but they are also incredibly effective in addressing challenges such as community cohesion, inclusion, crime prevention and employability.

“By empowering grassroots sport and investing into the ecosystem around it, there is a real return through sowing the seeds for a level playing field for our next generation, on and off the court or pitch.”

The research from Sported, who support around 5,000 grassroots groups reaching one million young people around the UK, highlights an increased recognition of the role that these organisations play in delivering social impact.

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82 per cent of grassroots sports clubs surveyed in the South West said they get inactive young people active, as well as improving mental health, confidence and self-esteem amongst young people. Further benefits of taking part in physical activity for young people were revealed by the groups as including increased sense of belonging, and reduced stress and anxiety. “As our kids grow, they have the opportunity to become peer volunteers, running the activities for their younger neighbours, gaining life skills such as leadership and professionalism,” said Jane Rogers of Bristol-based JumpStart Food and Fitness CIC.

“In return, we mentor them and offer references for college and employment Rewriting young futures in some of Bristol’s most deprived neighbourhoods, helping our communities be the change.

“As we run our sessions, our families watch and connect: our supportive WhatsApp groups include the wider residents. So a JumpStart Kids project that welcomes 10-20 kids each week actually impacts over 100 residents in their tower block and creates safer, more resilient, communities.”

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