Rural communities

What did our research with the sector conclude?

Rural communities face unique challenges that hinder access to sports, including travel distances, limited infrastructure, and higher costs for both facilities and transport. Participants expressed the need for creative solutions, such as mobile sports units and community-driven transportation options, to bring sports opportunities closer to rural areas.

The following comments are from the 2024 research study, reflecting the range of views expressed by participants.

• "The distances people in rural areas have to travel to access a quality sports facility are huge. It's not just about distance; it's about the time and cost, which makes regular participation nearly impossible for many."
• "For young people in rural areas, there's often nowhere nearby to go, nowhere to gather for sport. Without venues or community hubs, sports can feel out of reach."
• "Public transport is limited, and with the high cost of fuel, families simply can't afford to drive long distances just to reach a sports club. This isolates people and restricts their ability to participate."
• "Mobile sports units or pop-up gyms could really help rural areas. Bringing sports opportunities to communities would eliminate a lot of the travel issues and make people feel included."
• "The cost of living is already higher in rural areas, so even a small sports membership can be prohibitive. When people have to choose between essentials and a gym membership, sports lose out."
• "Offering online fitness classes or virtual sports options could help rural residents participate without the need to travel. It's a way to bridge the gap when in-person options aren't feasible."
• "We should consider setting up community transportation hubs or carpool initiatives specifically for sports activities. It would help people feel part of something and reduce the cost barrier."

Barriers:

Geographic spread

• There are fewer facilities for sports in rural areas of Scotland.
• In the Highland context for instance, rurality and the geographical spread of quality facilities along with the supply and timing of transport all remain significant issues[1].

Poverty and cost of living

• Rural poverty accounts for 16% of all poverty in Scotland. Rural poverty is often less visible than in urban areas and harder to measure[2].
• It costs 10% to 30% more for families with children to live in rural Scotland than in an urban area[3].

Social isolation and mental health

• Social isolation of young people in rural areas is largely due to a lack of venues to meet and socialise in and/or organised activities to take part in[4].
• People living in rural areas also face particular challenges with regards to mental health, due to limited access to mental health services and isolation[5], which can compound difficulties with participating in physical activity (see Learning Note on Mental Wellbeing).

What we can do about it

Increase local opportunities and infrastructure

• Session offer: Encourage people in rural areas to participate in sport by offering sessions in a range of venues. Considerations about potential venues should also take into account ease of access and transport.
• Multi-use community hubs: Encourage the use of multi-use community hubs for sporting activities where possible.
• Mobile activities: Consider whether your activity could make use of mobile sports units or take on the form of a pop-up gym that could travel between communities.
• Beginner friendly sessions: Include adult focused sport for beginners or sample sessions with opportunities for people to take part with friends to encourage participation.

Lower activity cost

• Low-cost and free activities: People living in rural areas often experience higher costs of living, alongside higher costs of childcare and participation. Consider whether you could reduce the costs of your activities and offer more free activities.

Practical travel considerations

• Transport: Increase access to transport when putting activities on, develop transport hubs or even engage in community driven transport initiatives. Encourage carpooling initiatives or shared transportation to enable community members to travel to sporting opportunities.

Use technology where available

• Online activities: Consider whether your activity could offer online opportunities for community members. This could enable more rural communities to take part without the need for frequent travel.