Barriers to participation for 3 target groups and all the stages of the sports participation pyramid
I am going to explain the barriers to participation from 3 different target groups at each stage of the sport development pyramid. My 3 target groups are Over 50s, Women and Young people. Over 50s is a target group because there is more over 50s playing sport now than ever before, this is because people are living longer and wish to keep fit and active.
Young people is a target group because if people can get young kids active and give them a chance to do sport at a young age then it is more likely that they will carry on with sport and go up through the sports participation pyramid. Women is a target group because although traditionally women participate less in sport, the number of women in sport has gone up in the past few years. From 2005 to 2008 the overall women participating in sport went up from 2.57 Million to 2.81 Million (12.3% increase). Also more women are playing male dominated sport like Rugby and Football.

Target group 1 – Over 50s
At the foundation stage for Over 50s there is not any facility’s that will teach the basic skills for a sport. For most sports such as Crown green Bowling participants will go straight into the participation stage.
In the participation stage for Over 50s a barrier would be cost of travel. If a person cannot drive then the cost of the buss maybe too much and if it is too far to walk the participant may have to stop playing that sport. Also the cost of membership could be a barrier as they may not be able to keep up with the costs and then have to stop playing. A barrier may also be for social reasons. If the participant does not know anyone then this may put them off going to play sport as they feel lonely and out of place.
In the performance stage for Over 50s health issues can be a barrier to someone’s participation. For example if a Crown green Bowls player starts to loose his eye sight at this stage then his performances may drop as a result and he may have to stop playing. Also transport issues could be a barrier as they might be traveling a long way to competitions, and if they cannot drive the cost of travel may also be a barrier as they could not be able to afford it. Also at that age traveling long distances may put them off of playing the sport at that level.
At the Elite level for Over 50s a barrier could be the participants health, for example if a person starts to have a bad back when playing Crown Green Bowls then he might be in too much pain to continue and therefore have to stop playing. Also playing at the Elite level the cost of transport may be a barrier. If the participant cannot keep up with costs such as petrol then they may have to stop playing at the top level. Also the cost of entering competitions may be a barrier, and this may put them off playing at the top level in a sport.

Target group 2 - Women
A barrier for women at the Participation stage is gender issues. If sport is being played at primary school, and if all the kids are joined in together then the girls may feel out of place and not want to try. Also they may not be as good as the boys so again they might not want to try and they could feel like the sport is not for them. Also a barrier could be body image. For example if a woman does not like her body image and her personal appearance, then they may not want to put on sports kit and try sport because she will feel embarrassed about herself. Therefore this will stop her from participating and trying new sports. Also a barrier at participation level can be if there are no single sex classes, for example primary schools doing PE sessions with boys and girls mixed in. This is a barrier because girls might not like joining in with the boys and may feel put off sport due to the lack of single sex classes for girls at this stage.
At the Participation stage a barrier for women could be personal safety. For example if a woman has to walk to sport training with her club she might not feel safe on the streets in her area and therefore be put off travailing to training, and her participation levels in the sport will drop as it is safer to stay at home. Also a barrier can be Access to sports halls at appropriate times and this can prevent women from taking part in sport. This is because some sports hall may prioritise male sport and only leave it available for women at late times. If this is the case then women could feel put off by the late times and therefore stop their involvement in sport. A barrier can be for social reasons. For example if a women does not have any friends that will go to a sports club with her then she might feel put off going as she will not know anyone, and may not get as much fun out of going on her own as to with going with her friends.
At the Performance stage a barrier for women could be time. For example if a women has kids or a full time job then she might not be able to find the time to play sport at a higher level as training frequency will have increased. Therefore this will stop her involvement in the sport at this level. A barrier for women could be personal safety. For example if a woman has to walk to sports training she might not feel safe on the streets in her area and therefore be put off travailing to training, and her participation levels in the sport will drop as it is safer to stay at home. Also a barrier for women at this stage could be for historical reasons. This is because sport a high levels has been traditionally male dominated. Therefore women could feel out of place and also put off by this, and it could lead to their involvement in sport to drop.
At the Elite level for women a barrier could be time. This is because if a woman has kids or a full time job then she might not be able to find the time train for her sport as training frequency will have increased. Therefore this will stop her involvement in the sport at this level. Also a barrier for women at this stage could be for historical reasons. This is because sport a high levels has been traditionally male dominated. Therefore women could feel out of place and also put off by this, and it could lead to their involvement in sport to drop. And as a result drop down the participation pyramid. Another barrier for women at this stage is funding. This is because training and playing at the elite level can be very expensive. If a woman cannot get any funding because for example, she plays a sport that is seen as unpopular for women e.g. water Polo, then she may have to drop out as she cannot afford to carry on.

Target ground 3 - Young People
A barrier for young people at foundation stage is opportunity’s to take part in sport. For example if a primary school does not teach much sport in PE lessons then this will prevent young people from starting certain sports and therefore reduce their involvement in sport. A barrier for young people can also be body image. For example if a child is not comfortable with their body appearance because they are overweight then this may prevent them from actively taking part in sport. This is because they think that other people could bully them as they are overweight.
At the participation stage a barrier for young people is lack of confidence. This is because young people may not feel good when exercising or that they don’t think they are good at a particular sport and therefore not want to join a Sunday league football club for example. Also a barrier can be for social reasons. For example if a young person has no friends that go a certain club then this could put them off going as they do not know anyone, and also they may not like talking to new people. A barrier for young people at participation level can also be body image. For example if a child is not comfortable with their body appearance because they are overweight then this may prevent them from actively taking part in sport, even though they may be good at a certain sport. This is because they think that other people could bully them as they are overweight.
A barrier for young people at the performance stage is cost. If they have to travel a long distance to training and pay membership fees then this could prevent them from going and stop them from participation at this level. At this higher level of competition a barrier for a young person can be their fitness levels. If they are not fit for a sport that requires a high level of fitness, for example cross country, then this can make them want to stop participating and this will end their involvement at this stage.
At the Elite level for young people a barrier can again be cost. This is because ta the highest level people will be sometimes traveling great distances for training and competitions, which can sometimes be abroad. The cost of this can get too much for parents and this could lead to the young person not being able to participate at this level in the sport. Time can also be a barrier at this level. This is because with school work and going out with friends a young person may not have enough time to do all these things. This could lead to them drooping their involvement in the sport at this level and spending more time with family or friends. At this higher level of competition a barrier for a young person can be their fitness levels. If they are not fit enough for their sport, for example cross country, then this can make them want to stop participating and this will end their involvement at this stage.

Now I will analysis the barriers to participation in my three target groups by highlighting the similarities and differences.
Similarities and differences for at foundation stage
There are many similarities at the foundation stage. For example between Women and young people there is the same barrier of body image because many women and young people in the foundation stage may feel embarrassed about their appearance and so may not take part and try sports. Another barrier which is similar in women and young people is opportunity’s to take part in sport. This is because if primary schools do not teach sport then this will stop young people from taking part in sport, and also if there is not any single sex classes for women then this could stop women from wanting to taking part in sport.
A difference at the foundation stage between all three target groups is that over 50s do not have a foundation stage whereas women and young people do have a foundation stage. This is because there is no facility’s that will teach the basic skills to over 50s so participants will go straight into the participation stage. Women and young people both have the facility’s that will teach basic skills to sport for example in primary schools.
Similarities and differences at participation stage
At the participation stage a similar barrier between all therefore my target groups is for social reasons. This is because if a participant does not have any friends that will go to a sport club with them it can put women, young people and over 50s off from going to a sports club and playing sport. Also the barrier of cost is a barrier for all three of my target groups. This is because the cost of membership fees and get too much for women, young people and over 50s. this can then lead to them dropping out of a sports club and therefore dropping their involvement in sport. Safety is also a similar barrier between women and young people. This is because if they are walking too and from clubs and they do not feel safe on the streets, because of anti-social behaviour for example, then this could make women and young people not go to the club and therefore lead to them dropping their participation in sport.
A difference in barriers at participation level between young people and women can be access to sports halls at appropriate times. This is because sports halls do tend to not priories women’s classes and sports hall availability, meaning they cannot get sports halls at appropriate times. Whereas young people can get a sports hall at a suitable time like after school, for example gymnastics in a sports hall.
Similarities and differences at performance stage
A similar barrier at performance stage for all three of my target groups is transport. This is because at this stage it is likely that they will have to travel a long way to training, and if they have no one to take them, like family or friends, then this can lead to some women, young people and over 50s dropping their involvement in sport at this stage.
A difference in barrier between all three of my target groups is historical reasons. This barrier applies to women. This is because sport in the past has been traditionally male dominated and women at this level might struggle to find teams and competitions to enter, this could be because there are not enough women for a certain sport. However this is not a problem for over 50s and young people as they do have enough clubs and competitions which they can enter as there are maybe more opportunity’s and people involved. Also a difference in barrier between over 50s and young people is health. This is because an over 50s player could lose their eye sight or have a bad back for example, leading to them having to drop their involvement in the sport. This however would not be a problem for young people at this stage.
Similarities and differences at Elite stage
A similar barrier at elite level between all three of my target groups is funding. This is because at this level it is likely that the cost for the sport will be high from things like travel and competition fees for example, and this cost might be too high for some people. Meaning if a woman, young person or over 50 cannot get funding like a sponsorship then they might have to drop their involvement in the sport at this level. Also for all three of my target groups travel can be a barrier. This is because at this stage it is likely that they will have to travel a long way to training and competitions, and if they have no one to take them, like family or friends, then this can lead to some women, young people and over 50s dropping their involvement in sport at this stage.
A difference in barrier at elite stage between young people and over 50s is health. This is because an over 50s player could lose their eye sight or have a bad back for example, leading to them having to drop their involvement in the sport. This however would not be a problem for young people at this stage. Also a difference in barrier between all three of my target groups is historical reasons. This barrier applies to women. This is because sport in the past has been traditionally male dominated and women at this level might struggle to find teams and competitions to enter, this could be because there are not enough women for a certain sport. However this is not a problem for over 50s and young people as they do have enough clubs and competitions which they can enter as there are maybe more opportunity’s as more people are involved.
Suitable solutions to the barriers
Over 50s
A barrier for over 50s is transport too and from clubs like Crown Green Bowls for example. This can be a problem as many old people cannot drive or the travel distance could be too far. A solution too this is for the Bowls club to put on a mini buss to pick up all the participants and take them to and from the Bowls club.
Also cost is a barrier for over 50s as they may not be able to keep up with the cost of being in a Crown Green Bowls club for example. This can be overcome be the bowls club maybe asking for funding from Local council so they can help people with money struggles. Or the Bowls club could let the participant pay with more instalments over a longer period of time.
A barrier for an over 50s Crown Green Bowls player is health, for example bad eye sight or bad back. Unfortunately this cannot be overcome as such but the bowls club can do thing to accommodate these people. For example they could allow slower play or even allow participants to play whilst sitting down if they have a bad back.

Young People
A barrier for young people is opportunity’s to take part in sport and try new sport. This can be overcome by primary schools giving more and better PE sessions that encourage young people to get involved with sport. Also local leisure centres can put on classes for young people which allow them to try new sports.
Also a barrier can be lack of confidence in a Sunday League football team for example. This can be overcome by coaches give really enthusiastic and fun sessions that make the participants want to take part and enjoy the session. This will give them more confidence as less pressure will be on them during the sessions because the aim is enjoyment.
A barrier or young person in a Sunday League football team can be travel. This can be a problem if the young person does not have anyone that will take them to games. This can be overcome by the team manager putting on a mini buss to take players to games. But this can also be overcome by a fellow players parents picking them up and taking them to games.
A barrier can also be a young person’s fitness. This is a problem if the level of competition they are at requires them to have good fitness. This can be overcome by their club putting on fitness sessions to help improve the player’s fitness. But also this can be overcome by the player going out on jogs and runs to improve their own fitness, if they are old enough.
Cost of membership can also be a barrier for a young person. This can be overcome by the players team allowing the young person to pay the membership fees in more installements so the persons parents can afford it.
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