The line graphs illustrate the trends in the average monthly spending on children’s sports and participation in different sports across the UK between 2008 and 2014.
Overall, participation in all three sports increased between 2008 and 2014. Number of children who participated in football was the highest in each year. While athletics have the biggest growth, football showed the least change over a six-year period.
In 2008, an estimated 8.5 million children participated in football. This figure declined slightly to about 8 million. However, it fluctuated mildly and reached 9 million by 2014. Despite having the least change, football consistently had the highest number of participations in each year.
In 2008, number of participations who participated in athletics was nearly 1 million. It rose minimally in 2010 but then grew noticeably to 5 million in 2012. However, it fell marginally from 2012 to 2014. Also, swimming increased mildly from 2 million to nearly 4 million over a period.
