I always understood the term "sporting cave" to mean one that had difficulty (variable on level of experience), a streamway (if you come from Yorkshire) and a variety of interesting situations. So, if you're a beginner, Birkwith or Lower Long Churn Cave could be regarded as sporting, whereas if you're experienced Swinsto or Penyghent Pot would be. It probably doesn't include nasties such as Hammer or Quaking Pots which are just plain masochistic.