Youth Matters and the role of sport and physical activity

The publication of Youth Matters, the Government’s first national youth strategy in 15 years, sets an important direction for how we support young people over the next decade.

For us at Sport England, it also reinforces a clear message: if we are serious about improving young people’s wellbeing, connection and opportunities, sport and physical activity must be central to that ambition.

This response is not simply a welcome of the strategy, but a statement of intent.

It sets out why Youth Matters is important to our work, what young people have told us they need, and how our sector can help turn the strategy’s ambitions into meaningful change in places and communities across the country.

What young people are telling us

The strategy reflects what young people themselves have been saying for some time.

Many feel increasingly socially isolated, are worried about their mental wellbeing and financial security, and want to feel safer and more connected in their communities.

Crucially, they are also clear about what would most improve their daily lives: access to affordable, welcoming recreational and leisure opportunities, and the support of trusted adults.

These insights matter.

They underline the importance of spaces where young people can come together in person, build confidence, develop relationships and feel a sense of belonging – particularly at a time when pressures on services, families and communities are growing.

Why sport and physical activity matter

Sport and physical activity are not a 'nice to have' in responding to these challenges.

They provide proven, evidence-backed ways to support young people’s physical and mental wellbeing, create positive relationships with trusted adults, and strengthen connection to community and place.
 

Our sector already delivers experiences that young people value: inclusive activities, strong role models through coaches and volunteers, and environments where young people can feel safe, welcomed and supported to be themselves.

When done well, sport and physical activity can be a powerful protective factor in helping young people thrive, not just cope.

Inequality remains a barrier

Youth Matters rightly highlights the need to halve the participation gap between disadvantaged young people and their peers when it comes to enriching activities.

This is an area where urgency is needed.

Our latest Active Lives Children and Young People survey shows that while overall activity levels are rising, stubborn inequalities remain.

Young people from the least affluent families are still the least likely to be active, and too often face barriers related to cost, access, safety and whether opportunities feel designed for 'people like them'.

Less than half of young people say they are happy with the activities and services in their local area, and even fewer feel those opportunities reflect their needs and expectations.

Addressing this must be a priority if the ambitions of the strategy are to be realised.

Alignment with Uniting the Movement

The emphasis in Youth Matters on putting young people and communities at the heart of decisions, shifting from fragmented to collaborative working, and empowering local delivery strongly aligns with our long-term Uniting the Movement strategy.

Our Place Partnership approach is already focused on tackling inequalities, working alongside local partners and investing in long-term, community-led solutions.

Youth Matters validates this direction and reinforces the importance of sustained, place-based action rather than short-term interventions.

Our commitment

Delivering the ambitions of Youth Matters will require coordinated action across Government, sectors and communities.

Sport England is committed to playing our part: working with partners nationally and locally to ensure sport and physical activity are accessible, affordable, welcoming and shaped by young people themselves.

By listening to young people’s voices, focusing on the places facing the greatest challenges and continuing to address inequality head-on, we can help ensure this strategy delivers lasting impact over the next decade.

We look forward to continuing to work with Government, the youth sector and partners across sport and physical activity to turn this ambition into action for young people.