Each year 1.3 million teenage girls across the UK are dropping out of sport. Fear of judgement, body insecurity, managing periods and impractical kit are just some of the issues forcing girls to the side lines. But why should girls miss out on the joy of sport?
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We know that 50% of teenage girls don’t feel good enough to take part in sport and 7 in 10 girls avoid being active on their period. Negative narratives and puberty are stealing their self-belief, affecting mental health and hindering happiness. Together we can break the taboos, keep girls active for the benefit of their mental and physical health and prevent an entire generation of girls from slipping into a lifetime of inactivity. Our girls deserve better. We must act now - so all girls know sport is for them.
Women in Sport want to build a positive, inclusive and accessible sporting ecosystem for girls - everyone has a role to play in creating this from families, teachers, and peers, through to marketing and media. We will work to support girls in getting fit and active; ensuring they are given the confidence, and self-belief to enjoy sport and physical activity, recognising the value that it brings. We will build awareness of the barriers and stigmas attached to puberty and periods helping girls realise they do have a place in sport. Through this collective change, we can ensure that girls have the opportunities to thrive.