Factors affecting participation
Personal factors
Many factors affect whether people take part. Each can be a (it stops people) or a help (it encourages them).
| Factor | As a barrier | As a help | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Less energy, or health conditions, with age | Activities suited to each age | Walking football for older players |
| Gender | Fewer clubs or less coverage for some groups | Sessions and campaigns for women and girls | A girls-only football club |
| Ethnicity | Few role models; feeling unwelcome | Clubs that welcome all communities | A club running sessions with community groups |
| Religion/culture | Clothing rules; prayer times or religious days clashing | Single-sex sessions; flexible times | Women-only swimming sessions |
| No ramps, lifts or adapted equipment | Adapted sports and accessible facilities | Wheelchair basketball |
Key terms
Family, education, time and money
| Factor | As a barrier | As a help | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family | No support, or no-one to take you | Active parents and siblings; lifts to training | A parent who plays tennis encouraging their child |
| Education | Little PE, or poor experiences of it | Good PE and after-school clubs | A school netball club leading to a local team |
| Time/work commitments | Long working hours; caring for children; homework | Sessions early, late or at weekends | A 6 am gym class before work |
| Membership, kit and travel cost too much | Free or cheap activities | Free parkrun events |
Key terms
Access, discrimination and the wider world
| Factor | As a barrier | As a help | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| No facility nearby; no transport | Local facilities and clubs | A sports centre on a bus route | |
| Being treated unfairly puts people off | Clubs with clear anti-discrimination rules | Kick It Out campaigns in football | |
| Environment/climate | Bad weather; no hills, water or snow nearby | Good weather; the right landscape | Surfing in coastal areas |
| Little coverage of some sports and groups | Coverage inspires people to try a sport | Women's football on TV encouraging girls to try it | |
| No-one like you to look up to | Seeing people like you succeed | A disabled athlete inspiring young disabled people |