FOOTBALL has just pipped swimming as the most popular sport for the region’s youngsters.

According to research just published by BT Coaching for Life, 51% of children in Yorkshire and the Humber play football regularly – just 2% more than those who swim.

Athletics was third with 18% of children taking part, followed by martial arts at 15% and ballet/dance at 14%.

The BT Coaching for Life programme is aimed at six to 11-year-olds and encourages parents and carers to help children try different sports.

The BT survey also revealed that 61 per cent of parents in Yorkshire and the Humber actively encouraged their kids to join teams and clubs to increase their circle of friends.

Leon Taylor, former Olympic silver medallist and BT Coaching for Life ambassador, said: “Make praise your main tool, the most powerful tool you have as a coach is praise – but be careful to ensure you praise effort not talent.”