Government bids to get more young people playing sport

Sports minister Tracey Crouch has launched a public consultation in order to gather views on what more can be done to engage children and young people with sport, while also boosting participation and physical activity.

Latest figures from Sport England show there are 15.5m people aged 16 and over participating in sport each week – up from 14.1m in 2006.

However sports participation has declined since 2012, when 15.9m were taking part each week.

Crouch said she wants to ensure that public funding is targeted at organisations that can deliver in terms of encouraging people to get involved in sport and physical activity.

"Public funding is a privilege not a right and has to go to the organisations that can make a real difference," she said.

“I want to hear views from people and groups on what more we can do to strengthen sport in this country across the board.”

Crouch added she wants Britain to continue enjoying elite success following the London 2012 Olympics.

“Britain has punched above its weight in elite sport in recent years with fantastic results but we can not be complacent,” she said.

“I want sport to do all it can to bring on the next generation of talent so that the nation continues to enjoy success and inspirational performances.”