Women’s Sport: Community Green Spaces
Thursday, 12 November 2026
Contributions
Caroline Voaden (South Devon) (LD)Liberal Democrat
12. What assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of community green spaces on women’s sport.
The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)Labour
We know that safe and accessible, high-quality community green spaces and local sports facilities are vital to helping more women and girls to get active. Through Sport England, we are helping local areas to target investment and supporting local authorities to create playing pitch strategies and opportunities for women and girls to take part in sport. Women and girls belong on every pitch that they choose to play on, and we are determined to ensure that we do more to support them.
A school in Totnes in my constituency is planning to sell part of its grounds, including playing fields that are widely used by the community, including by many women, for sport and outdoor exercise. A campaign group is working on a proposal to buy the site, yet despite the site being registered as an asset of community value there is no guarantee that the bid would be accepted and that the playing fields would remain. A community right to buy fund was announced earlier this year, but there was no clarity about how it would work in practice. Does the Secretary of State agree that the right to buy scheme must be clarified to give groups such as the Friends of Lower Field a legal right to purchase playing fields such as these at market value to keep them in the community?
I am aware that there are ongoing discussions between the school’s trust and community groups to explore options for preserving the facilities for community use, while recognising the importance of raising much-needed revenue for the school. Ultimately, this is a decision for the trust as the landowner, but we support ongoing efforts to find a workable solution for all concerned. The hon. Lady also raises a wider question about the way in which we approach cases such as these. I am happy to arrange for officials from my Department to reach out to her to discuss that further.
Sonia Kumar (Dudley) (Lab)Labour
Dudley is home to outstanding female sporting talent, including boxer Kirstie Bavington and karate rising star Jess Wyman. Both have spoken to me about the lack of training facilities, financial support and a clear pathway to elite sport for young females. What action is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that female athletes receive the right support to fulfil their potential, and will she meet them?
My hon. Friend has been a consistent champion of opportunities for women and girls and, in fact, for the whole community to be able to participate in sport in her constituency, and I thank her for that. We would of course be happy to follow up in the manner she suggests.
Sir Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con)Conservative
Mobile notspots are still a big problem in parts— [ Interruption. ] Sorry, I have just arrived. I meant to say, “No. 13.”
Source: UK Parliament Hansard API. Debate ID: 5436638.