1.1 User groups + barriers

• Different user groups that participate in sport:

  1. Gender
  2. Teenagers
  3. Retired people / people over 60
  4. Families with children
  5. Different ethnic groups
  6. Young children
  7. Carers
  8. People with family commitments.
  9. People with disabilities
  10. Parents
  11. People at work
  12. Unemployed or economically disadvantaged.
• Ethnicity 


  The state of belonging to a group of people who identify with each other based on culture, language, traditions or religion .
• User group: Different ethnic groups

  The sport you take part in can be influenced by your culture or ethnicity.

  • People from different ethnicities may be steered towards or away certain activities.
  • e.g. A person of African origin may be encouraged to take part in athletics rather than swimming.
• Provison

  The act of providing or supplying

  • This could be a service or activity provided at the local leisure centre.
• Barriers of participation: Ethnicity

  • Lack of awareness - Ethnic groups might not know what sports are available at their local leisure centre.
  • Lack of ethnic role models - There may be few positive role models from the same ethnic group to inspire others to participate.
  • Fear of discrimination/ racism - Potential discrimination from people at the club or the facilities makes going and attending sessions difficult.
• Retired

  No longer doing regular paid work
• User group: Retired people / people over 60

  • Retired people may have time and money to participate in sport. However the type of sports suitable may be limited.
  • Older people may take part in sport for social or health reasons.
• Barriers to participation: Retired people/over 60

  • Lack of fitness - Lack of fitness to participate and perform the skills may affect confidence and the ability to perform.
  • Family commitment - Caring for their grandchildren, therefore may not have the spare time to participate.
  • Discrimination from others - Worried about how others perceive them and discriminate due to their age, the judgement that they should not be participating.
• Sport sessions for retired people/over 60

  Walking netball and Walking Football sessions are available.
• User group: Families with children

  • Family commitment may not leave you enough time to take part in sport.
  • e.g. Picking up your younger siblings from school may prevent you from taking part in after school clubs.
• Barriers to participation: Families with children

  • Time commitment - Little time left for leisure activities.
  • Limited childcare - Maybe no facilities or creche at the sports centre.
  • Transport issues - Family might not have a car or may have the car to commute to work. However public transport can be challenging with children.
• User group: Carers

  • Being a carer can be very stressful and time consuming.
  • It is important that carers get a chance to participate in sport as it may give them an opportunity to relax and take a break from their responsibilities.
• Carer

  A person who has the responsibility to care for relatives, elderly, parents or siblings.
• Barriers to participation: Carers

  • Lack of time - It may be time consuming, leaving the person very little time to participate.
  • Lack of disposable income - Carers may give up work to care for the person, therefore lack of money.
  • Lack of appropriate activity options - Limited options offered during times of the day/night that are suitable.
• Disposable income

  Money that can be spent after essential commitments and bills have been paid.
• Barriers to participation: People with family commitments

  • Lack of time - Time is prioritised to family commitments, therefore limited time for sport or to exercise.
  • Transport issues
  • Childcare costs of dependants - Money for children is prioritised over sport and leisure activities.
• User group: Young children


  0-11 year old face barriers to participate
• Barriers to participation: Young children

  • Lack of awareness - Children do not know what is offered or the activities provided in their local area.
  • Lack of money - A child does not have income, they are reliant on family members to pay for the activity.
  • Distractions - Media, Tv, Tablets, games are time consuming. Some may prefer these activities.
• User groups: Teenagers

  12-18 years of age.
• Barriers to participation: Teenagers

  • Lack of teenage role models - Few sporting teenagers to inspire and show the possibility of balancing school work and training commitments.
  • School commitments - Homework and revision take priority and time over participation.
  • Peer pressure - To undertake other activities that are not active. e.g. Gaming, cinema, social events.
• User group: People with disabilities

  People with disabilities find it harder to participate in sport as there are fewer opportunities due to the limited access to sports clubs.
• Barriers to participation: People with disabilities

  • Lack of access to specialist equipment - It may not be available locally and can be expensive.
  • Lack of transport/specialist transport to a venue - Wheelchairs users require specialist vehicles to support transport.
  • Fewer sporting role models - Lack of media coverage showing elite para- athletes, therefore no inspiration to participate
  • Lack of mobility - Physically not able to participate
• Access

  How easy it is to enter the activity
• Barriers to participation: Parent (Single or couple)

  • Childcare costs - Money is prioritised for childcare ahead of leisure activities.
  • Parenting commitments - A single parent may lack the time to participate in their own physical activity.
  • Lack of time - Time is prioritised for work and looking after the children.
• User group: People who work

  People who work may have more money available to take part in sport but find it hard to find time.
• Barriers to participation: People who work

  • commitment to work - Prioritise work over leisure time
  • Lack of time - Due to working hours and commitments.
  • Fatigue/tiredness - Due to working hours
• Economically disadvantaged


  Someone who does not have enough income to meet basic needs and qualifies for state benefits.

  • You can be employed or unemployed and be economically disadvantaged.
• User group: Unemployed or economically disadvantaged people

  They may struggle to afford to play sport.

  • Sport can be expensive such as gym membership, equipment and transport to the venues.
• Barriers to participation: Unemployed or economically disadvantaged people

  • Lack of disposal income - Low income due to being unemployed or economically disadvantaged.

  -> Can't afford membership fees/ session fees.

  • Lack of transport - May not have a car or money to pay for transport.
  • Other priorities - May use leisure time to do other things, e.g. find a job or source of income.