1.2 Possible barriers

• Possible barriers which affect participation in sport.

  1. Lack of transport
  2. Family commitments
  3. Lack of disposable income
  4. Employment & Unemployment
  5. Lack of positive sporting role models
  6. Lack of appropriate activity provision
  7. The lack of equal coverage in media in terms of gender and ethnicity by the media
  8. Lack of positive family role models or family support
  9. Lack of awareness of appropriate activity provision
• Lack of transport

  A lack of transport will prevent you travelling to where sport takes place. This will limit your opportunities and your choice of sport.
• Employment & Unemployment

  • If you work you may find it hard to find the time to take part in sport.
  • If you unemployed you may find it difficult to take part in sport due to financial constraints
• Lack of disposable income


  Some sports are expensive e.g skiing, some people will not be able to afford the equipment or the cost of travel to snow slopes.
• Lack of positive sporting role models

  A role model in sport can be people who influence you into participating in sport. e.g. a famous athlete, coach or family member.

  • An example is in football, girls have many more role models as there is increase in the profile and the coverage of the sport, this has led to an increase in participation.
• Lack of awareness of activity provision 


  To participate in a sport, you must be aware of what provision is available.

  • If you do not know what sports clubs are available in your area you will not know where or when you can take part.
• The lack of equal coverage in media in terms of gender and ethnicity by the media

  Media coverage is important to promote individual sports and to provide positive role models.

  • Gender and ethnicity are not often promoted in the media, this can demotivate and lower the self esteem of individuals.
  • However recently media coverage has improved with female sports gaining more coverage, ethnic females competing wearing headscarves; this helps provide positive role models for Muslim girls.
• Lack of positive family role models or family support

  Family is needed to provide support when taking part in sport especially if you are a child.

  • Children are often introduced to sports clubs through their parents or family members
  • support is needed to travel to training/ matches
  • Financial support is needed to buy kit/equipment and pay for membership fees.
• Possible barrier: Gender

  • Stereotypes
  • Lack of role models
  • Media coverage
• Possible barrier: Carers

  • Commitments
  • Time
  • Disposable income
• Possible barrier: Ethnicity

  • Lack of awareness
  • Discrimination
  • Lack of role models
• Possible barrier: Young children

  • Activity awareness
  • Transport
  • Homework
• Possible barrier: Retired people/over 60

  • Lack of fitness
  • Confidence
  • Discrimination
• Possible barrier: Disabilities

  • Activity provision
  • Cost of equipment
  • Confidence/ self esteem
• Possible barrier: Parents

  • Lack of time due to family commitments
  • Lack of disposable income to spend on activity due to child care cost
  • Lack of transport
• Possible barrier: Unemployed/economically disadvantaged

  • Lack of disposable income
  • Lack of transport
  • Lack of awareness
• Possible barrier: People with family commitments

  • Lack of time
  • No child care/ Crèche at leisure centre
  • Lack of disposable income due to dependants
• Possible barrier: Teenagers

  • Lack of time due to school work being a priority
  • Peer pressure not to participate, doing other things such as: socialise and gaming.
  • Lack of money