Game On inquiry: MPs to explore success of growth sports and widening sporting participation
Growth sports and initiatives encouraging sporting participation from under-represented groups will be the focus of the latest session of the CMS Committee’s community and school sport inquiry.
Meeting details
MPs will first hear from representatives from the bodies responsible for cheerleading, padel and basketball - three sports which have seen a spike in participation in recent years. Questions are likely to focus on the reasons behind their success as well as any barriers to future growth and wider participation. The witnesses could also be asked about engagement with schools.
Giving evidence on the second panel will be the chief executives of Bowls England, Northampton Saints Foundation, the charitable arm of the Premiership rugby club, and cricket charity Chance to Shine.
The Committee will explore how sport-specific initiatives can encourage participation among certain demographic groups. Northampton Saints Foundation currently runs programmes for young people in the criminal justice system, while Chance to Shine is centred on delivering cricket coaching in state primary and secondary schools.
With the membership of bowls clubs in decline and many facilities at risk, the Committee could ask whether more can be done to support the sport, which is the second biggest for over-65s.