Ross Murdoch: Cost-Of-Living Crisis Could Force Young People Out Of The Pool

Ross Murdoch: Photo Courtesy: British Swimming

Ross Murdoch: Cost-Of-Living Crisis Could Force Young People Out Of The Pool

World and Commonwealth medallist Ross Murdoch has added his voice to a charity’s warnings that thousands of young people face missing out on sport and physical activity that is integral to their wellbeing because of the cost-of- living crisis in Britain.

More than 500 community sports groups responded to a survey by Sported – a charity that promotes the empowerment of young people through grassroots sport and physical activity across Britain – to share their views on the cost-of-living crisis and fears they have for their group’s future, as well as the lasting impact the crisis will have on young people

94% admitted to fears about the impact of cost of living increases on young people.
67% of the groups expect young people to be forced out of participating in activities over the next six months – even when those activities are free.
45% of the groups are located in the UK’s most deprived areas where sport plays a vital role in combating key social issues such as youth violence, mental health issues and knife crime and in making a real difference in the daily lives of some of the UK’s most marginalised people.
With groups facing increased costs from venue hire and energy bills, many fear for their group’s long-term viability:
72% of community sports groups have already been forced into changes to offset the impact of increases. This includes reducing membership fees, offering fewer sessions per week, or reducing the number of young people that can take part. Almost one in five groups fear they will need to halt activities altogether.
75% of groups expect their costs to go up by 50% on average. 51% of community groups need between £1,000 – £9,999 ($1,155-11,555) to support their cost of living priorities over the next six months but almost 50% reported a drop in financial support (such as from local businesses, trusts and foundations) for their work in the community.
Given the majority of groups survive on less than £10,000 per year, this funding shortfall could prove critical to their survival, especially when the cost of facilities for swimming clubs has already been increased through Covid and afresh now with a rise in utility prices.
43% of groups are concerned about young people and families being unable to afford activities.
Other notable concerns included how the crisis will affect young people’s mental health (19%), and food insecurity (19%).

Murdoch recently admitted to finding the prospect of not competing again a tough one despite having apparently concluded his career with Team Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The two-time Olympian left Birmingham with three bronzes as he reached the podium for the third successive Commonwealths, eight years after winning gold in the 200m breaststroke in a British record of 2:07.30 that still stands today.

Ross Murdoch; Photo Courtesy: British Swimming

The 28-year-old has also claimed three world and six European medals including two golds in 2016 in London and he appears to have backtracked on his apparent insistence that he was to retire.

Murdoch credits sport with teaching him about himself and learning about interaction, teamwork and empathy and backed Sported’s calls for help to ensure the community groups survive.

He said:

“Covid wrecked the paths into sport for so many kids over a couple of years but now the cost of living crisis could shut out another generation from getting involved through clubs.

“I was lucky when I was younger in that there were free swimming classes at West Dunbartonshire.

“But even with a sport like swimming that’s accessible, there is still a price point where you can end up excluded. I didn’t come from money but my parents broke their backs to get me to swimming.

“So I know I could have been in that position where I might have been priced out of the opportunities that sport brings.

“And with the cost of living rising, there’s going to be problems in the likes of football or rugby or athletics where the costs of turning on the floodlights will be difficult for a lot of clubs. Or indoor sports with the venue costs going up. That’s really worrying because you see the power of sport and how it can change lives.

“It’s not just that kids can become less sporty. They need that socialisation with other kids. You learn how to build relationships, how to interact with other people, how to deal with conflict resolution – that all comes in one package.

“I know for me, sport was the biggest way I learnt about myself. Sport taught me how to be a more effective person: to be more empathetic and able to listen.

“And if kids are priced out, we’ll see less-rounded adults. So it’s not just about health and wellbeing, it’s a societal issue as well.”

Nicola Walker, Chief Executive of Sported, added:

“It is a really difficult time to be a young person growing up in the UK right now. Covid-19 has already disproportionately affected the most disadvantaged members of society, widening inequalities, and creating a time bomb in terms of mental health. The cost of living crisis will only exacerbate this.

“I know just how responsible our community groups feel for helping young people and many groups feel they are letting them down at a time when they most need help.

“I am alarmed that many groups will be forced to reduce their sessions or even close, which would have terrible lasting impact on young people and their local communities.”

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Nathan

1 year ago

Lol @. this. This has been a problem for Murica for decades but somehow those Olympic and World Championship gold medals keep coming.