Football – with the men’s World Cup currently giving it unrivalled prominence – is often held up as a mass participation sport because it is so cheap to play.
However, the well-versed ball and jumpers for goalposts claims may ignore the cost to families of kit, club fees and transport to matches.
Tennis has faced a more complex reputation, with some considering it to have been an elitist sport.
But anyone wanting to try tennis, without the costs of hiring a court or any of the equipment, can attend free sessions – often on Saturday mornings – as part of a Lawn Tennis Association scheme.
Anyone can search for a park near you running the sessions, external, although not every area of the UK is covered.
Beyond tennis, there are a host of leisure centres which offer free fitness class taster sessions, external.
Cricket is another high-profile summer sport. The Chance to Shine charity runs hundreds of free street cricket sessions, external around the country throughout the year – often within walking distance of children living in poorer areas.
British Blind Sport runs Have a Go days, external for people with sight loss to try out sports ranging from rugby to rowing for free.
Parkrun has become a hugely popular free running and walking, external activity across the UK.
There is no centralised database for free sports activities, but lots of campaigns are designed to get people moving to help their physical and mental health.
They include Every Body Moves, external for people with disabilities, regional schemes such as London Sport Get Active, external, and the This Girl Can, external campaign.
Sport England also invests in the Active Partnerships network, external, which boosts free sporting and exercise activities in different areas.
On a local level, charity-run possibilities range from free table tennis sessions in Brighton, external to street dance in Blackpool, external.
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