According to a report issued today by The Prince’s Trust, adults overwhelmingly believe that local authorities should create more diversionary activities for young people to build their confidence, develop skills and combat bad behaviour.

The report, No Ball Games? Getting young people back into education, employment and training is the result of interviews with more than 1,000 adults, with over 92 per cent calling for more activities for young people and 87 per cent believing sport is a good way of keeping them out of trouble.

It stems from a believe that socially excluded and disadvantaged young people are the victims of a ‘no ball games’ culture – meaning they don’t have the necessary activities or access to resources to keep them motivated and diverted from anti-social behaviour.

Leslie Morphy, director of programmes and policy at the Prince’s Trust, said: “With more than one million young people not in education, employment and training, we need to find new ways of engaging this group.

“Sport has a special ability to inspire and motivate young people from different backgrounds, create strong social networks and increase community cohesion.

“It also helps us tackle anti-social behaviour, isolation and boredom by providing diversionary activities for young people most at risk.

“We need to continue to create links with sport to help more young people overcome their barriers and get back on track.”

The Prince’s Trust already has links with football, cricket and rugby through the FA Premier League, the Football Foundation and the PFA; Natwest Cricket and Zurich Premiership Rugby.

Through these partnerships a nationwide network of community-based projects have been set up to help young people gain qualifications, improve self-confidence and develop skills.