A £370,000 cash windfall is set to help 6,000 women in Oxfordshire get into sport.

Thousands of women from deprived communities could soon be playing badminton, tennis, netball and football, as well as taking part in athletics and gymnastics.

The Government said it hoped to get women in some of the county’s most deprived corners playing sport.

The Oxfordshire Active Women scheme will be aimed mainly at those from disadvantaged areas or women with young children when it launches in March.

Sue Holden, secretary of the Barton Community Association, said the scheme was well overdue for Oxford’s estates.

She said: “I think it is a fantastic idea. Anything that gives women from estates and poorer backgrounds the chance to get fit is brilliant.

“The childcare issue is key, because that really is what stops so many women from participating in sports and activities.

“Here in Barton we recently got a new gym, so there really will be no excuse at all.”

Figures released last month showed only one in eight women in Oxfordshire play sport, compared to one in five men. And fewer than one in 10 women from the county’s poorer areas were regularly active.

Last night, the woman charged with running the new scheme said the money will help break down barriers.

Toni Bridges, from the Oxfordshire Sport Partnership, said: “We are delighted. Key to this project is that activities will be tailored to local communities, where women have told us how they want activities delivered.

“We hope that by removing specific barriers to participation, we can really help women to become more active.”

Previously many women have not played sport because of childcare commitments, inconvenience, expense and the lack of someone to play with.

Sports sessions will be tailored to take place at a time, place and cost that suits women.

The project – which aims to deliver a “mass participation legacy” for the London 2012 Olympics – will also create opportunities to get into coaching and volunteering so women can then inspire others to take part.

Sport England chief executive Jennie Price said: “For many women with children, or those managing a tight budget, sport – and time to themselves – can slip down the list of priorities.

“This project has asked women what is stopping them getting involved and what sports interest them.

“This has helped it come up with offers that are appealing and accessible.”

Oxford City, South Oxfordshire, West Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and Cherwell councils will all be taking part.