Scotland ‘has now become a divided nation of sport haves and have-nots’
Even before the virus struck, however, Scotland was facing a difficult truth about sport, with studies showing inequality of access to sport and exercise has only been growing.
A 2019 in-depth analysis of Scotland’s sport participation levels by the OSS head of research, Nick Rowe, revealed that activity was no longer ‘stable’, as often quoted, but had in fact shifted on social grounds over the previous 20 years, with people from affluent backgrounds taking part in more sport activity, notably in gyms and cycling, while those from deprived backgrounds were losing access to regular activity altogether.
“In contrast to 30 years ago, where sport activity in Scotland was enjoyed across social divides, Scotland has become a ‘Divided Nation’ of sport haves and have- nots,” Mr Rowe wrote.
“The impact on the health of all ages in the population, inequalities, community cohesion, education, the economy and the public purse are now significant, and costly in
human and financial terms.
“The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns have accelerated these trends towards a fragile future for health and wellbeing, most obviously affecting people from deprived backgrounds,” he added.
The pandemic has exacerbated isolation and mental health pressures, as well as putting pressure on facilities in deprived communities, further reducing opportunities,
but the Dutch government, in common with their New Zealand counterparts and others, is again turning to community sport to help with the recovery.
Onecommunitysportorganiser in Scotland warned that the country is about to face “a tsunami of physical and mental health problems” as a consequence of the extended lockdown.
Sport is not a miracle cure for these issues, but neither should its value be ignored.