Young people are being squeezed out of sport because a third live in poverty and the cost of taking part is too high, according to a study. Schools could help by opening facilities to community groups out of hours, it says.
The National Association of Head Teachers said tight budgets saw many schools already hiring out their sites. London School of Economics researchers studied sports provision in five poor areas in England and Wales.
n East Ham, London
n Burngreave, Sheffield
n St Paul's, Bristol
n Gurnos, Merthyr Tydfil
n Lache, Chester
Cost is the biggest barrier to taking part in sport for young people over school age, found the report, Moving the Goal Posts.
"They like gyms and would go if it wasn't for the cost barrier. They also like the idea of team sports, but often there is a fee for participating and cost can become expensive," it says.
