00:00, 08 January 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
Women in Sport has launched a new campaign encouraging girls to continue on with sports in their teenage years, following a survey that revealed barriers to confidence and aspiration in young women.
While more girls than ever are aspiring to reach the top in sport, a significant gender gap remains, with far more boys than girls — 6 out of 10 boys compared to 4 in 10 girls – believing they can achieve elite sporting success, according to results shared exclusively with Sky News.
Despite the growing number of girls aiming to be top-level athletes, 40% report that they are not encouraged to excel in sport.
Women in Sport, a charity dedicated to increasing female participation in sport, surveyed 2,626 young people aged 13 to 24 to explore their attitudes towards sport.
The survey revealed that, despite a rise in the number of girls dreaming of top-level sport—from 29% in 2023 to 38% this year—women and girls still receive less support than their male peers.
With the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics over with, two-thirds of girls said the Games had inspired them to become more active. However, nearly a third of girls admitted they did not expect to be good at sport.
Project Officer Shereen Charles, speaking to Sky News, said teenage girls face "a lot of confidence issues" that discourage them from engaging in sport. She explained that girls often "fear judgement" and may not be aware of the opportunities available to them, whereas boys are typically exposed to a wider range of activities.
Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington, reflecting on the findings, shared with Sky News that sport gave her "so much confidence" during her teenage years. The four-time medalist described swimming as her "community," and expressed hope that the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics would continue to inspire girls to get involved in sport.
To address these challenges, Women in Sport has launched the Big Sister project, a new initiative designed to encourage teenage girls to stay active in leisure centres across the UK.
As the charity continues its mission, the call is clear: it’s time to bridge the gender gap in sport and ensure that more girls are encouraged, supported, and empowered to follow their sporting dreams.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Women In Sport. This leading charity in the UK is dedicated to improving the visibility and participation of women and girls in sport. Find out more.
This Girl Can. An initiative by Sport England that aims to encourage women and girls of all ages and backgrounds to get active, regardless of shape, size, or ability. The campaign focuses on overcoming the barriers that prevent girls from participating in physical activities. Learn more here.
The Girls’ Network. This charity connects young girls from disadvantaged communities with female mentors from a range of industries, including sport. They help build confidence, aspiration, and provide role models to inspire girls to pursue their dreams. Support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities.
