Football roadshow challenges TV addicts to get outdoors

Half the kids living in Newcastle admit they are addicted to television, computer or video games, but the Olympic and Diamond Jubilee may be enough to spur some of them into more active lifestyles.

The survey, by YouGov for Npower energy group, also looked at the habits of young people in Nottingham and found the situation to be similar, with 40% of kids saying they were addicted to the television, computer or video games.

The energy group commissioned the survey to coincide with its nationwide football roadshow as it warned that kids were growing up “increasingly cut off from their community”.

The survey found that 24% of teens in Newcastle were spending more time watching sport on TV than playing it outdoors, while in Nottingham, this number was 30%.

In Newcastle, one in four children said they did not have anyone to take them out or that there were not enough outdoor facilities to enjoy the great outdoors. In Nottingham, this figure was 60%.

However, 100% of the young people surveyed in Nottingham said they would like to spend more time outdoors.

The survey found that more than a fifth of children in Newcastle and Nottingham (21% and 22% respectively) had taken part in their first ever street party or picnic this year.

One in four in Newcastle (24%) said they had been inspired to take up a new sport or hobby this year, with athletics, track and field being the most popular choices (70%), followed closely by football (30%), and swimming or diving (20%).

In Nottingham around one said they would be taking up a new sport or hobby, with athletics, track and field also being the most popular choice (43%).

Npower’s No Power Hour is being hosted by former Premiership and Welsh national midfielder Robbie Savage.

It is aimed at encouraging kids to spend more time outdoors with friends and family and save energy at the same time.

Savage said: “If you can pry kids away from video games and television, there is a whole world of new things to discover and enjoy. When I was a young lad, I definitely spent more time outdoors than today’s kids.

“It’s how I learnt my footie skills and it was the only way to improve, as well as keep fit and healthy. It definitely kept me out of trouble and gave me the head start I needed to get into top flight football.”

Clare McDougall, npower’s head of education and community, said: “Our research shows that there is a real desire amongst children to spend time outdoors but they are constrained by being constantly switched on to video games, TV and the computer or have no one available to take them outside.

“This summer’s spectacular series of events is providing inspiration for young people to switch off technology and spend time with friends, family and neighbours, learn new sports and hobbies and get out and about within their communities.”