As fans queue up at Wimbledon in hope of securing a ticket to watch the world's best players, many tennis lovers face another challenge: trying to book a court at this time of year can be as hard as returning a professional player's serve. And for families trying to be healthy, active and entertained by any sport, money often proves a hurdle. Yet, a host of opportunities exist to try out 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, which is responsible for growing participation in grassroots sport. "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 and other sports activities are available across the UK as Wimbledon begins, says Sport England.”
Tennis, long considered by some an elitist sport, offers free sessions – often on Saturday mornings – as part of a Lawn Tennis Association scheme. Anyone can search for a park near them 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 out sports ranging 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.
Football, often held up as a mass participation sport because it is so cheap to play, may still carry hidden costs: kit, club fees, and transport to matches. But with Wimbledon in full swing, the message from Sport England is clear: cost should never be a barrier to being active. The question remains whether those who need it most will find these opportunities within reach.