Booking a court to play tennis at this time of year can be as hard as returning a professional player’s serve. And as fans queue for Wimbledon tickets, families trying to stay healthy, active and entertained often face another hurdle: money. Yet a host of opportunities exist to try sport for free.
“Record numbers of adults and children are active, and cost should never be a barrier,” says Simon Hayes, chief executive of Sport England. “But the reality is that for many people and families, amid rising bills, it’s increasingly a concern – particularly in the communities which face the greatest challenges. We’re focused on supporting the people and places that need the most help.”
“Free tennis, cricket, and fitness sessions are available across the UK to help families stay active on a budget.”
Football, given unrivalled prominence by the men’s World Cup, is often held up as a cheap mass participation sport. But the well-worn image of ball and jumpers for goalposts may ignore the cost of kit, club fees and transport to matches.
Tennis has faced a more complex reputation, with some considering it an elitist sport. Yet anyone wanting to try tennis without hiring a court or buying equipment can attend free sessions – often on Saturday mornings – as part of a Lawn Tennis Association scheme. A search online can find a park near you running the sessions, although not every area of the UK is covered.
Beyond tennis, leisure centres offer free fitness class taster sessions. Cricket, another high-profile summer sport, has the Chance to Shine charity running hundreds of free street cricket sessions around the country throughout the year – often within walking distance of children living in poorer areas. British Blind Sport runs Have a Go days for people with sight loss to try sports from rugby to rowing for free.
Parkrun has become a hugely popular free running and walking activity across the UK. There is no centralised database for free sports activities, but campaigns designed to get people moving include Every Body Moves for people with disabilities, regional schemes such as London Sport Get Active, and the This Girl Can campaign. Sport England also invests in the Active Partnerships network, which boosts free sporting and exercise activities in different areas.
On a local level, charity-run possibilities range from free table tennis sessions in Brighton to street dance in Blackpool.