Study shows the cost of sport is pricing children out of physical activity in NI
And while the majority of parents (85%) believe sport is important for their children, including when it comes to managing stress, almost a third (30%) feel the cost of equipment and clothing needed to participate in physical activity means they can't get involved to the extent they would like to.
The 'Sport is not a Luxury' study reveals that families from lower-income backgrounds are being hit hardest by the cost of living crisis meaning parents are being forced to cut spending on the sporting interests of their children.
More than a third of families have stripped back on such spending meaning that 37% of children have missed out on opportunities due to financial pressures with one quarter of parents admitting they have borrowed money or relied on credit to cover the cost of physical activity for their children.
The report was launched at Stormont by Ulster University researchers Dr Maria O'Kane, Roisin McCafferty, Róisín Carney, Prof Alison Gallagher, Prof Marie Murphy, Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick and Dr Angela Carlin.
Dr O'Kane, who was the lead author and lecturers in healthcare science, said the results show that far too many young people are missing out on the life and the health benefits associated with an active lifestyle.
'It is well established that physical activity has many health benefits for children and adolescents yet less than one in four children in Northern Ireland meet physical activity guidelines,' she said.
'Our research shows that despite strong parental support for sport and physical activity, families were struggling to cover the costs for their children.
'A child's ability to be active, should never depend on their family income. We need bold, strategic action from the government to invest in long-term solutions that ensure all children, regardless of socioeconomic status, can access the lifelong benefits of physical activity.'
News Catch Up - Tuesday 3 June
The event at Parliament Buildings was sponsored by Alliance MLA and party spokesperson on education Michelle Guy who said the research findings should not be surprising.
'We know the cost of living continues to have a huge impact on families here, and so while this new research may not come as a complete surprise, the figures uncovered and the quotes from parents are star,' she said.
'Unfortunately, the research also shows there is a growing divide between which children can access particular sports and activities depending on household income. Importantly, no child should be shut out of sport or physical activity because of the cost.'
The research set out six key recommendations aimed at addressing the growing inequalities in access, including a mandatory 120 minutes of PE every week in school and the promotion of whole-school activity initiatives.
It also urged the introduction of a ring-fenced budget for child poverty with realistic targets that promote equal access to physical activity and an increase in funding to help clubs in communities manage rising operational costs, including the creation of a dedicated fund for programmes targeting disadvantaged children and adolescents.
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