21st century sport

• Social class is more fluid and professional sport provides social mobility. There's still some divisions in society with the lower class associated more with football and the middle/upper class more towards tennis, golf and equestrianism.
• Lower socioeconomic groups are less likely to participate in sport as unable to afford specialist equipment, coaching, transport, facilities and fees. Participation is trying to be increased by sport england and NGB's.
• Higher socioeconomic groups are more likely to represent elite sport and dominate it. Some sports like equestrianism are perceived as upper class and stacking occurs (when people are encouraged into a sport that matches their socioeconomic group).
• Education increased participation through compulsory curriculums, opportunities at fee paying schools, competition such as inter school fixtures, extra-curricular clubs, qualifications rewarding participation and school-club links.
• Education decreased participation through negative participation for example not being good in PE lessons and being one of the last people to get picked for teams. Another reason is a lack of knowledge meaning people don't know the health benefits of participating in sport.
• There was an increase in participation due to increased availability of time because of conveniences such as washing machines, flexible working hours, some sports centers/gyms being open 24/7 and facilities like AGP's having floodlights. However there was a decreased participation due to stress and anxiety.
• Availability of money increased to £10.43. Most people had disposable income to spend on memberships etc. More options to shop around and look for the best deal. However some working class or unemployed struggle and cost of living crisis has had a big impact.
• Public and private transport became more accessible to the general public allowing people to travel to play and watch sport. Air travel enabled the development of global sport and trains connected towns and rural communities. The car also became a popular form of transport for many.
• Law and order affected 21st century sport as there were increased cases of negligence and litigation (taking legal action), racial and gender equality laws reducing discrimination, cases of match fixing and PED's and increased criminal prosecution against spectators.
• Law and order made sport safer by banning orders for hooligans, alcohol bans at venues, drug laws against PED's, legal action against foul play on the pitch and duty of care of officials making them legally responsible for player and spectator safety.