The CCPR, the umbrella organisation for the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Recreation, has campaigned for a minimum of two hours physical education to be the right of every school child and believes that the Government has made a valuable step towards allowing every pupil his or her "entitlement" of physical education.

The FA helps schools and colleagues to provide football for boys and girls of all ages. As the most popular sport, football has a key role to play in both the education and health of young people.

The FA is delivering this through its Football Development Strategy, a five-year plan for the grassroots game, which started in 2001. This plan has seen the rise of girls’ and women’s football by 53%, and mini-soccer (for the youngest players) by 25%.

Margaret Talbot, Chief Executive of CCPR said: "The specific commitment of providing two hours within the school curriculum and the provision of extra resources to deliver it, will enable every child to enjoy the benefits that physical education bring.

"However, we must ensure that this investment is sustained and that the extra funding is used to increase the number of specialist physical education teachers and to provide at least 30 hours training for primary school teachers.

"Highly trained and professional staff will be vital for delivering a wider variety of activities and providing the ‘quality’ experience that will encourage lifelong participation in sport and recreation."

The Government also intends to provide extra curricular sport and recreational activities via links with local clubs and societies. Both the CCPR and The FA believes that this use of voluntary sector sport clubs, including the 37,500 football clubs, will further enable young people to enjoy quality sport and recreational opportunities and will provide them with a channel into community sport.

The CCPR Challenge, launched in November, calls on the next government to double the exchequer funding for sport and recreation. For more information visit www.ccpr.org.uk.