A growing number of girls are stepping away from sport as they transition from primary school into their teenage years.
According to recent statistics from Women In Sport, 61% of girls report feeling judged when they participate in physical activities, while 45% believe they don’t have the “right” body shape for sport. As a result, 1.3 million girls who once loved sports in their primary school years are now disengaging.
Inspire’s Youth Support Worker Ashley Bustos believes a key reason for this is a lack of role models for young women.
“Boys get to see men grow up and play sport for their whole career, but there’s less of that for girls,” she said.
While this is starting to change, with the Arsenal Women’s team selling out stadiums, the ‘Her Game Too’ movement, and athletes like Simone Biles, Leah Williamson and Emma Raducanu making waves, there’s still more that can be done.
Ashley, who delivers sport in schools as part of our Inspired programme, is a strong advocate of keeping activities fun for everyone. “I try to encourage girls to play with freedom – it’s important to enjoy it rather than focusing on specifics,” she said.
She also spoke about how she embraces the responsibility of acting as a role model for those she teaches.
“I can encourage them to keep going and to stay positive – that’s an incredible thing to be able to do and it’s why I enjoy coaching,” she explained.
According to Ashley, the benefits of being active go beyond just physical fitness. “Sport gave me so much in my adult life – routine, determination and motivation. It’s carried me through my career and daily life. And the social side of sport is invaluable, too. It teaches you communication skills, teamwork and the ability to make friends.”
