Girls’ participation in sport has improved a lot in recent years, but there’s still a clear drop-off as girls get older.
From my experience working with clubs, schools and community programmes, this isn’t usually down to ability. It’s much more about confidence, environment and whether the opportunities feel right for them.
Schools have a really important role to play here. For many girls, school is where their experience of sport starts, and often where it ends as well.
The good news is that there are some simple, practical ways to improve this.
If you’re developing provision, it can also help to think about how this links to wider opportunities, such as how to start a new girls sports team.
⚽ It starts with the environment
Before thinking about sessions or programmes, it’s worth looking at the overall environment.
Do girls feel comfortable taking part?
Do they feel like they belong?
Things like changing facilities, how sessions are delivered and how staff interact with participants all make a difference.
This is something that often gets overlooked, but it has a big impact on whether girls come back for a second session. Creating the right environment is key, as discussed in creating a safe and supportive environment for girls in sport.
👭 Girls-only opportunities make a difference
Mixed sessions can work well, but they don’t always suit everyone, especially in the early stages.
Girls-only sessions can:
- remove some of the pressure
- help build confidence
- encourage girls who might not otherwise take part
This doesn’t need to be complicated. A simple after-school club or lunchtime session can be enough to get started, or you can help signpost girls to sports opportunities in their area.
🧠 Not everyone wants to compete
One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that all girls want the same thing from sport.
Some will want to compete, but many won’t, at least not straight away.
Focusing on:
- enjoyment
- social interaction
- building confidence
often leads to better long-term engagement.
This is particularly true for girls who don’t see themselves as “sporty”, which is something I explored in how to stay active when you don’t like sport.
🏫 You don’t have to do everything yourself
Schools often feel like they need to deliver everything internally, but that’s not always realistic.
Working with external providers can:
- bring in new expertise
- offer different types of sessions
- create links into opportunities outside of school
Using external support and resources can also make things easier, as outlined in the most useful resources for sports clubs.
👩🏫 Role models matter
Seeing women and girls involved in sport, whether as coaches, leaders or older players, makes a big difference.
It helps normalise participation and shows that there’s a place for them in sport.
This doesn’t always require external input. Sometimes it’s about using the people you already have within your school or community. The impact of this is something I’ve written about in the importance of women in sports leadership roles.
📣 Communication is often overlooked
In a lot of cases, the opportunity is there, but people don’t know about it.
Clear communication with both students and parents is key:
- what’s available
- who it’s for
- what to expect
The more straightforward and consistent this is, the more likely girls are to attend. This is especially important when promoting opportunities, as covered in how to promote your sports events.
🔄 Think about what happens next
It’s one thing getting girls to attend a session once. It’s another thing keeping them involved.
Having some idea of what comes next helps:
- progression within school
- links to local clubs
- ongoing opportunities
This doesn’t need to be a complex pathway, but there should be some direction. Growing participation over time is something I’ve also touched on in how to find players for a girls’ sports team.
🧩 Ask the girls
This sounds obvious, but it’s probably the most important point.
Ask them:
- what they enjoy
- what they don’t
- what they’d like to see
The answers are often simple, but really useful.
Listening to girls and building confidence through sport is key, as explored in using sport to build confidence in girls.
🎯 Final thoughts
Increasing girls’ participation in sport isn’t about one big change.
It’s usually a combination of:
- the right environment
- the right type of opportunities
- and listening to the people you’re trying to engage
Schools are in a really strong position to influence this. Small changes can make a big difference, which is why providing opportunities for women and girls in sport matters.
