Grassroots sports are the foundation of sports development and are highly valued within our local communities. They nurture and develop talent starting from the ground up, whilst also promoting health and wellbeing, inclusivity and social integration.

Grassroots sports are local, community-based sports activities. They focus on participation and socialisation, rather than competition and success. They provide an entry into sports like football, rugby and athletics, which can then provide a pathway into professional avenues. They cater to all ages, abilities and backgrounds, encouraging social cohesion.

The sports groups are usually led by volunteers, which helps develop the sense of community and unity by bringing people together to work as a team. Over two thirds of individuals believe community sports clubs and groups play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community in their area. Grassroot sports can also supplement the local economy by providing job opportunities. It has been shown that grassroot sports can positively impact the community by decreasing crime rates and antisocial behaviour through encouraging the youth to get involved in positive activities and social events where they can get to know people and have some fun.

Grassroot sports can also lower educational disruption and truancy by providing programmes that reduce the attainment gap. With 40% of all regularly active adults being a member of a sports team, the new evidence compliments the economic and social contribution that participation in sport and physical activity makes, overall saving the NHS £9.5 billion annually and boosting the UK economy by £85 billion each year. Consequently, grassroot sports are a significant avenue for improving our mental and physical health, especially for the youth, by creating safe and inclusive spaces, where we can learn and grow from our teammates and peers.

Sporting Foundation believes that grassroot sport is “Sport for good”, by widening inclusion to everything among the under-represented sections of society. This charity helps around 5000 grassroots organisations across 100 different sports and activities every year, by providing programmes, as well as a team of 300 volunteers that share their business experience and skills. Since becoming a system partner, Sporting has attracted £3.5 million into the sector from corporate funders which can inject significant value into projects, such as the Barclays Community Football Fund, which has funded nearly 2000 community groups.

Although grassroots sports seem stable, they still require significant assistance with governance, financial support and forward planning. Volunteer numbers are declining, with 800,000 fewer than before the COVID-19 pandemic and an overall decline of 2.1 million since 2016. Clubs operating in a financial ‘red zone’, meaning they hold reserves below 33% of annual income, increased from 12% in 2021 to 37% in 2023. Communities are therefore struggling to keep their activities and clubs functioning. This is why charities such as Sporting play such a vital role in helping these clubs become more resilient, so they can continue to support their communities during challenging times and tackle the ever-prominent issue of inequality.

In January 2025, the Government stated that they are acting to support grassroots sports through ongoing investment in Sport England and the delivery of a £123 million muti-sport grassroots facilities programme. The Football Foundation is dedicated to transforming grassroots football in England by funding and developing community facilities. It builds and refurbishes pitches, clubhouses and changing rooms, to ensure that everyone has access to quality football environments.

However, most recently grassroots sports are being significantly challenged due to proposed planning reforms which could remove the statutory protection of the facilities.

The government is considering stripping Sport England of its right to be consulted before a playing field is built on, as part of the plan by minsters to speed up planning decisions to achieve its aim of building 1.5 million new homes by 2029.

Many athletes and Olympians, including Jill Scott, Sir Mo Farah and Alex Yee, have signed an open letter saying they are “deeply concerned” about the proposals. Other signatories include the heads of the Football Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Rugby Football Union and the Lawn Tennis Association.

If these plans go ahead, this will greatly impact grassroots sport by accelerating the loss of the space that makes physical activity possible. Sport England protected more than 1000 playing fields last year and has been consulted on planning decisions for the past 30 years to develop the importance of grassroots sports within the community. Without these protections it is reasonable to suggest that the health and wellbeing of communities will suffer. In June the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said that they are investing £400 million into new and upgraded grassroot sports facilities to remove the barriers to physical activity for underrepresented groups, such as women and girls, people with disabilities and ethnic minority communities.

The significant investment and support grassroots sports attracts, from charities, corporate funding and advocacy by athletes and government bodies, demonstrates the pivotal role grassroot sports play in our country to promote health, wellbeing and social cohesion by providing a safe and protected community which has a love of sport at its centre.

Sports Law Legal Assistant Emelia Berry said “In my opinion, it is vital that Sports England remains a trusted authority, and it is essential that it retains its right to be consulted before a playing field is built on. Grassroot sport allows athletes to grow and flourish in an authentic sporting environment, while also providing a vital source of escape and wellbeing for people within our communities. Therefore, reducing green areas impedes grassroot sports, undermining a vital community asset that supports health, connection and opportunity.”

This article is produced by Emelia Berry, Legal Assistant in the Wollens Sports Law department. You can contact Emelia or Marco Floreale, Head of Sports Law using the contact details below.

Emelia Berry

Legal Support Assistant
Emelia Berry | 01392 539199

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