npower research has revealed that one in three (30%) teens in Nottingham spend more time watching sport on TV than playing sport outdoors, with all (100%) of the young people surveyed stating they would like to spend more time outside. Even more revealing is that two-thirds (60%) of children in Nottingham admitted they have no one to take them out or there are not enough facilities for them to enjoy the great outdoors.

The research, commissioned by the energy provider to celebrate the launch of its No Power Hour road show 2012, reveals that four out of 10 (40%) Nottingham kids admit they’re addicted to TV, the computer or video games, as Nottingham’s kids are growing up increasingly cut off from their community.

However, the unprecedented number of sporting events and national celebrations this summer may be inspiring a newfound wave of patriotism, uptake of sport and community spirit, with over a fifth (22%) of Nottingham’s children attending their first ever street party or picnic this year. One in five (20%) has also been inspired to take up a new sport or hobby this year, with athletics, track and field being the most popular choice (43%), closely followed by football (29%), cycling (15%) and gymnastics (15%).

In light of Nottingham’s desire to get outdoors and capture their sporting enthusiasm, npower’s No Power Hour road show recently returned to Nottingham for its hat-trick year. Robbie Savage and the No Power Hour roadshow visited Nottingham’s Old Market Square for a family fun football day.

Npower’s No Power Hour is a UK-wide football road show, hosted by former Premiership and Welsh national midfielder and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Robbie Savage, designed to encourage kids to spend more time outdoors with friends and family and saveenergy at the same time.

Robbie Savage commented: “If you can pry kids away from video games and television, there is a whole world of new things to discover and enjoy. When I was a young lad, I definitely spent more time outdoors than today’s kids. It’s how I learnt my footie skills and it was the only way to improve, as well as keep fit and healthy. It definitely kept me out of trouble and gave me the head start I needed to get into top flight football.”

As the title sponsor of the npower Football League, the energy company is treating kids in four major cities to yet another fab summer event with a football-tastic display of themed activity zones, including a penalty shootout area, keepy-uppy contests and a dribbling zone to practice footie skills. The npower No Power Hour road shows aim to show how football can be just one of many activities kids can take part in if they just turn off their gadgets and technology for an hour each day.

Clare McDougall, npower’s head of education and community, said: “Our research shows that there is a real desire amongst children to spend time outdoors but they are constrained by being constantly switched on to video games, TV and the computer or have no one available to take them outside.

“This summer’s spectacular series of events is providing inspiration for young people to switch off technology and spend time with friends, family and neighbours, learn new sports and hobbies and get out and about within their communities.

“Our npower No Power Hour road show will visit four of the UK’s major cities to energise families and show just how much fun can be had outside, away from gadgets, using their own energy.”

Via EPR Network
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