Youth Sport Trust Survey Reveals Dominant Role of Footballers as Sporting Role Models for Children
Friday, July 10, 2026 – As the Summer of Sport and National School Sports Week bring communities together through the power of sports, a new survey commissioned by the Youth Sport Trust reveals the British athletes who inspire children to be active.
With the England Men’s Football Team advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals, capturing the attention of all generations of the nation, the survey explored the importance of sporting role models in motivating young people to move more and build healthy habits for life. The findings show that footballers, including England captain Harry Kane, dominate as the top sporting role models for children according to their parents.
As concerns around children’s physical health and activity levels continue to rise, the survey highlights the important role that families, schools, organizations, and the government play in addressing these issues. The survey also raises the question of who inspires young people to be active.
Among British male athletes, the top five inspiring figures according to parents are David Beckham, Marcus Rashford, Mo Farah, Harry Kane, and Anthony Joshua. For female athletes, the top five are Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Keely Hodgkinson, and Lucy Bronze.
Parents also named other members of the England squad, including Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, and Declan Rice, as inspiring athletes for their children. The performances of our national teams during this summer’s sporting events, such as the Football World Cup, have once again demonstrated the unique ability of sports to inspire the next generation and bring people together.
This sense of connection and unity has been evident throughout the country this week during National School Sports Week, powered by Sports Direct and Everlast. This campaign encourages children to participate in physical activities and celebrate PE, play, and sports during a landmark summer of sports. The campaign also provides resources and activities linked to major events such as the Football World Cup, the Wimbledon Championships, Women’s T20 cricket, and the Commonwealth Games.
Ali Oliver MBE, CEO of Youth Sport Trust, stated, “Following the Women’s Cricket Team’s success in reaching the finals of the T20 World Cup, the England Men’s Football World Cup journey has once again shown how sports can capture hearts and bring people together. When children see players like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham performing on the biggest stage, or hear parents and friends talking about the tournament, it can spark a powerful sense of possibility.”
She continued, “But the power of sports is not only found in stadiums. We have seen it this week as part of National School Sports Week, as we toured the country and saw children connect through play, develop skills, build confidence, and experience the togetherness that comes from moving with others. This summer of sports is a huge opportunity to help every child feel part of the action. Whether it is football, cricket, tennis, the Commonwealth Games, or playground games with friends, play and sports can give young people joy, belonging, resilience, and so many more skills they need to succeed.”
Sir Mo Farah, National School Sports Week champion, expressed his gratitude for being named as someone who inspires children to be active. He stated, “Sport has given me so much throughout my life, including the belief that you can achieve more than you think. I have always loved football too, and moments like England’s World Cup run show how powerful sports can be in bringing people together. That is what National School Sports Week is all about: helping every child feel connected, try something new, build skills, and enjoy being active with others.”
This year’s National School Sports Week saw over 2,600 schools participate, supporting more young people to get active for the UK Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation of 60 minutes a day. Several schools across the country also had the privilege of hosting visits from athletes and para-athletes, who shared their experiences and showcased the life-changing benefits of sports.
