Former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate has warned that families are struggling to afford sports kit, preventing children from participating in PE lessons and other activities. He cautioned that this economic pressure risks youngsters spending excessive time in front of screens rather than being active outdoors.
In an exclusive interview with the Press Association, Sir Gareth said: “We’re talking about participation in PE lessons, in being able to play sport. Unfortunately, some families are really challenged on that – they can’t afford to buy kit.” He added that people often have to choose between essentials like groceries and sports equipment such as football boots or trainers.
The former England manager, who led the national team from 2016 to 2024, made these comments while promoting The Multibank charity campaign. The initiative, supported by Amazon, distributes surplus goods donated by businesses to families in need through a network of charities and community organisations.
New YouGov data revealed that around one in six parents (15%) said their children have had to give up sporting ambitions due to the cost of kit or equipment. The survey of 6,451 adults also found that 72% of parents with children aged 4-18 believe a lack of access to sports equipment leads to fewer opportunities for those from lower-income families.
Sir Gareth, who was knighted after leading England to multiple tournament successes, said: “Every child deserves the right to play sport. It’s important for them physically. There are so many other aspects to playing sport that are helpful.” The Multibank has distributed more than 16 million items to support over two million families in need across the UK.
