Did you know that there are fewer girls participating in Sport?
05 November 2024 10:00
We caught up with Sport and Faith Leader, Jo, who's also our Female Participation lead, to learn more about the challenges girls face in sports and how her work aims to encourage their continued involvement.
"In my last blog (which you can read here), I discussed some of my personal experiences growing up in the world of gymnastics. As I move to my next blog, I thought it would be good to share some of the reasons why girls drop out of sport and what we can do to support them in getting involved.
Here are some reasons discovered by the Women’s Sports Foundation after 25 years of research:
Why girls drop out:
Lack of access:
Girls have 1.3 million fewer opportunities to play secondary school sports than boys. Limited physical education in schools and fewer sports opportunities at both secondary school and college mean girls often have to look elsewhere—which may not exist or may cost more. There is also often a lack of adequate playing facilities near their homes, making it more difficult for girls to engage in sports.
What we're doing to change this:
At Sportily, we offer a wide variety of inclusive opportunities, such as breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, Leadership Academies, Hangouts, and more—most of which are open to all, as we’re committed to ensuring girls feel fully welcome and included.
Why not #giveitago? Check out the website to see what activities are taking place in your area by clicking here.
Through sports, girls learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and confidence. Friendships and memories are made, alongside the physical benefits of staying active. Many of our Sportily clubs are free or have a small charge. If you'd like to join an event but are experiencing financial difficulties, we welcome you to email us, and we’ll do our utmost to provide a discount code.
Why they drop out:
Decreased quality of experience:
As girls grow up, the quality of their sports experience may decline. The facilities might not be as good as those for boys, and playing times may not be optimal. In some communities, quality, trained coaches are lacking, our coaches may focus more on boys’ programmes, which have more funding. Equipment and sports kits aren’t always provided and can be expensive which can diminish girls' enjoyment and growth in the sport. In short, sports just aren’t “fun” anymore.
What we're doing to change this:
At Sportily, we have trained sports coaches who use engaging games from the Boing Curriculum. We believe in helping each young person progress through tailored coaching and feedback that highlights strengths and areas for growth, enabling them to reach their full potential. We're committed to ensuring that girls have the same access to quality equipment, coaches, and resources as boys. Our coaches incorporate life skills and, at times, faith-based discussions that encourage young people to engage in meaningful conversations, building social and enquiry skills.
Why they drop out:
Lack of positive role models:
Today’s girls are constantly shown images focused on external beauty, rather than strong female athletic role models. For some, fitting into this mould seems more important than standing out. Peer pressure is challenging at any age, and without strong encouragement to participate in sports, girls may drop out altogether.
What we're doing to change this:
Sportily aims to inspire women to participate in sports, not only through our amazing female coaches but also by inviting successful and accomplished athletes to our events. This encourages girls to get more involved in sports and join a Sportily club—whether it’s netball, basketball, or one of our unique sports like Tchoukball. For more information, please email me.
Benefits of being active:
Let’s take a moment to remember what being active can do for us:
- Boosts energy and improves mood through ‘feel-good hormones’
- Enhances self-esteem and confidence
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Decreases loneliness, especially in group activities
- Helps with focus, calmness, and motivation
Physical activity can also improve:
- General mood
- Self-confidence
- Sleep quality
- Energy levels
If you have a young person who’s struggling to get involved in sport, encourage them to try us out. Our sports and faith coaches are energetic and committed to helping young people develop their full potential.
If you’ve read this article and found no sporting opportunities in your area, please email us using the link below and let us know what you’d be interested in.
Finally, if you are a young female leader and would like to receive a leadership ‘feel good’ starter pack then please do email me your name, location and the name of your local coach and I will pass them to your Sportily Coach to hand out to you over the next few weeks.
Pause for thought…Who could you encourage to move more and get involved in Sportily activities/events or a club near you?"