360,000 kids quit sport this week - Foster

11.53.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 24th Jul 2006

At the start of the school holidays, the Liberal Democrats have released new analysis of Government figures showing that 70% of school leavers will drop out of sports altogether as they leave the school gates.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster MP said "It's shameful that so many kids quit sport when they leave school.

"Many kids are so turned off by school sport that last week's PE lesson will be the final time they take part in sport.

"I'd like to see Government help offer a wide and tempting menu of school sports, like Jamie Oliver has tried to do for school food.

"If more kids can do the school sports they enjoy most, such as dance or martial arts, then they're more likely to continue these in adult life.

"We also need even stronger links between schools and sports clubs so kids need not find new facilities as they move on to university or the world of work.

"It's essential that we defuse the time bomb of childhood obesity now. Sport has a key role to play."