麻豆社

Access to play, sport and nature shouldn鈥檛 be taken for granted. Join comedian Tony Hawks as he explores the barriers shaping how we play in the UK, and why it matters to us all.

So far, Tony has focused on the obvious obstacles that get in the way of us being more playful here in the UK - the padlocked gates, the barbed wire fences, the stern No Trespassing signs.

But in this episode, Tony is looking beyond all that - because things like gender, race, age, postcode, and socioeconomic background all shape your chances of playing, moving, and feeling like you belong. Tony meets people navigating these unseen barriers.

At the University of Exeter women鈥檚 rugby team, coach Poppy Leitch says participation is growing after the success of the Red Roses in the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2025. However, resources and role models still lag behind the men鈥檚 game. Players describe stereotypes around aggression, body image, and femininity that can push women out of sport.

Tony also meets Josh Adeyemi of Black Scottish Adventurers, who explains how people of colour can feel unwelcome in the countryside when they rarely see themselves represented there. Lack of transport, awareness of opportunities and confidence can all become barriers to access nature.

Finally, Play England director Eugene Minogue argues that children鈥檚 freedom to play has dramatically declined over generations, especially in lower-income areas where playgrounds are fewer and of lower quality. He warns that modern parenting, safety concerns and policy decisions are limiting children鈥檚 independence, turning play from a natural part of childhood into something more restricted and controlled.

Presenter: Tony Hawks

Producer: Guy Natanel

Assistant Producer: Lauren Lewis

Executive Producers: Shannon Delwiche and Chris Jones

Composer: Pat Moran

Sound Mixer: David Crackles

A Sound and Bones production for 麻豆社 Radio 4

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