Traditional sports decline as schools look to alternatives

The activities are increasing in popularity, while team games such as hockey and netball, and individual disciplines such as gymnastics, may have started to lose their appeal, according to official figures.

More than 60 per cent of pupils do not regularly take part in competitive sports, while almost eight in 10 do not compete against other schools.

The annual study, commissioned by the former Department for Children, Schools and Families, looked at participation in PE and sport in all schools across England in 2009/10.

It reveals that nearly two in five (37 per cent) now offer cheerleading as a sport, up from 32 per cent over the previous year, while more than a fifth (22 per cent) are laying on yoga classes, compared with 21 per cent a year ago.

Some 22 per cent of schools now provide trampolining lessons, up slightly from a year ago, while 18 per cent offer classes in circus skills.

But the survey shows a fall in traditional games. Some 66 per cent offer rugby union, down from 74 per cent in 2005/06, while hockey is played at 73 per cent of schools, down from a peak of 78 per cent in 2006/07.

Liz Notman, sport and play development officer at East Riding Council where nearly half schools offer cheerleading as well as yoga, skipping and boxercise, said: "We want pupils to enjoy PE so the activities schools provide need to move with the times and reflect the things children and young people want to do."