Treats to reward children joining in sports

CHILDREN could receive trips to the cinema as a reward for participating in sport under recommendations revealed today.

The London Assembly has called for an Oyster-style swipe card which would provide free or discounted sports facilities for young people.

Children and teenagers would build up "credits" by playing sport, and would be able to trade them in for other activities such as cinema trips. The recommendation is part of an Assembly report into ensuring a sporting legacy for young Londoners.

It comes as the Evening Standard campaigns for organisers of the 2012 Olympic Games to improve participation in grassroots sport across the capital.

The Assembly wants young people to be able to use facilities in any borough.

Lib-Dem member Dee Doocey, who chairs the sport committee, said: "Young people living on the edge of a borough may find their nearest swimming pool just a few miles away but run by another authority.

"Kids have also said to us that they feel they will be targeted by gangs if they are seen to be playing sport and may want to go somewhere away from that area."

The "youth opportunity card" scheme has been tried out in Tower Hamlets and Camden, but the Government said it would not go nationwide because of technology problems and costs.

But Kate Hoey, Boris Johnson's top sport adviser, told the Assembly that the proposal would work across London.