NI Sport & Human Rights Forum explores cost of living and poverty as a barrier to sport

The most recent meeting of the Forum explored the impact that poverty and cost of living issues can have on access to sport. The meeting took place on 3rd March, where speakers from a range of backgrounds contributed to the engaging discussion.

The first speaker was Emily from the Policy team at NIHRC, who shared the human rights framework around poverty and human rights, and the link to sport. She explained that the human rights system acknowledges that poverty is a multidimensional human rights issue extending beyond low income to include deprivations in health, education, housing, and social inclusion, which can impede the right to equal participation in cultural and leisure activities, including sport. 

The Forum then heard from Dr Maria O’Kane from Ulster University, who presented findings from the recent “Sport is NOT a luxury” research, highlighting how ongoing cost-of-living issues are impacting access to sport and physical activity for children and adolescents in Northern Ireland. 

Judith Rankin, Sported’s National Manager for Northern Ireland, presented findings on their recent Pulse survey, titled ‘How local grassroots groups are supporting families facing the cost-of-living crisis’. The survey highlighted that cost of living pressures have created uncertainty for the future of many grassroots sports organisations, including volunteer retention and affordability for participants. 

Following this, the Forum heard from some grassroots sporting organisations about their initiatives to make sport accessible for all, and to support their local community. Jonny McClelland, Chair of Berlin Swifts/Swiftettes Football Club shared the club’s ethos that money shouldn’t dictate who can participate. The club has a ‘Pay for One’ policy where subsequent siblings are not charged to take part, as well as 50% off for any volunteers and their families. Their work has encouraged participation in sport, as well as family cohesion, community building and support for people struggling financially in the local area. 

Mentribe’s founder Callum Tipton talked to members about the work of his organisation which provides low cost and free walking groups for men, with the aim of increasing participation and providing a safe space for men struggling with their mental health. 

NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Alyson Kilpatrick, commented:

“This meeting of the NI Sport and Human Rights Forum explored the impact of poverty and cost of living on sport, an important issue which can impede access and cause children, young people and adults to miss out on the right to enjoy and participate in sport. We were delighted to have a range of speakers and organisations take part in the session, enhancing understanding and learning for our members. 

Poverty is a human rights issue. It can impede access to cultural and leisure activities, including sport and physical activity. As we continue to see rises in the cost of living, it is more important than ever to consider the different ways this impacts human rights for everyone in Northern Ireland.

It is encouraging to hear about all the great initiatives our members are doing to ensure poverty does not stop people from realising their right to participate in and enjoy sport. I would like to extend my thanks to these groups for their work, and to all our speakers at this Forum meeting, as well as our members for engaging with the topic.”

ENDS

To sign up for updates or to attend the next NI Sport and Human Rights Forum, please email info@nihrc.org. 

• Read the NIHRC Annual Human Rights Statement 2025 here Publication - Annual Human Rights Statement 2025 | Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
• Find out more about the International Covenant on Cultural, Social and Political Rights here: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights | OHCHR

Find out more about our speakers:

• “Sport is NOT a luxury” research, Ulster University: “Sport is NOT a luxury” research warns cost-of-living crisis is pricing children out of sport in Northern Ireland
• Sported NI: Sported in Northern Ireland - Sported
• Berlin Swifts/Swiftettes Football Club: https://www.facebook.com/berlin.swifts/?locale=en_GB
• Mentribe: https://www.mentribe.org/