More than half of households in the Midlands city reported significant financial pressure
Over half of Birmingham parents struggle to pay kids’ sports clubs bills(Image: WSL Football via Getty Images)
A new report has revealed that over half, 51.2 per cent, of Birmingham parents struggle to pay bills so their children can take part in sports clubs.
Millions of UK households will see energy prices rise to the highest level in three years in October, meaning many families will have to cut back on non-essential spending to pay for bills during the winter.
Sports equipment manufacturer FORZA surveyed UK parents to uncover the true impact of children’s sports costs. It partnered with the charity Sport In Mind to highlight how reduced access to sport could affect a child’s physical and mental wellbeing.
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The study revealed that while every child should have access to sports, rising costs were straining UK households.
Two-thirds (66 per cent) of UK parents said their child’s participation in sport placed moderate or significant financial pressure on their household, while over a third (34 per cent) said the impact was significant enough to affect their ability to pay for necessities such as food and bills.
Over half (51.2 per cent) of households in the Midlands city reported significant financial pressure to keep their children in sports clubs, impacting the ability to pay for everyday necessities.
Over the past 12 months, almost half (49.8 per cent) of parents said the overall cost of their child’s participation in sport had increased.
Regionally, Bristol parents saw the biggest price hike, with almost three-quarters (74.5 per cent) reporting an increase.
Robbie Hayter, director at FORZA, said: “Sport should be something every child has the opportunity to enjoy, regardless of their family’s financial situation.
“But our research shows that, for many parents, the cost of keeping a child involved is becoming harder to manage – and in some cases is already affecting whether they can take part at all.
“That is why we are launching Fit For Life. We want to use this campaign to highlight the pressures families are facing and encourage action that helps make sport more accessible, whether that means reducing the cost of participation, improving access to affordable opportunities or providing greater support for families.
“No child should have to miss out on the physical, social and personal benefits of sport simply because the cost has become too high.”
