TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While strides continue to be made in advancing girls’ participation in sports, a new report from Canadian Women & Sport reveals that over one million Canadian girls are still missing out on the benefits of sport, with participation levels continuing to trail behind those of boys.
Rally Report: A Call to Reimagine Sport So All Girls Can Play released today, in partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and global insight consultancy IMI Consulting, offers new insights into the experiences of girls aged 6 to 18. Based on a study involving more than 5,000 Canadians - including 2,000 girls and women respondents - Rally Report highlights both the progress and persistent challenges in girls' participation in sport across Canada along with the need for a system redesign that places girls at the centre.
Overall, Rally Report shows an increase in girls' sport participation rates, with 63% of girls now playing organized sports weekly, compared to 68% of boys. Despite this, nearly four in ten girls are still missing out on the benefits of sport, a number that rises to five in ten by age 16. Girls from lower-income households of all racial backgrounds are less likely to participate, particularly when they also have a disability.
“While we celebrate the progress we've made in getting more girls active in sport, it’s clear that we still have more work to do,” said Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, CEO of Canadian Women & Sport. “The findings of the latest Rally Report are a call to action for leaders at all levels to reimagine sport for girls, ensuring it’s inclusive, supportive, and designed with their unique needs in mind.”
“At Jumpstart, we are dedicated to advancing the participation of girls and young women in sports across Canada,” said Marco Di Buono, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “The findings of Rally Report not only reinforce our understanding of the need and opportunity in this space but will also help inform the direction of Jumpstart programming and partnerships as we continue to build a safe, welcoming and accessible sports landscape for all girls.”
Rally Report: A Call to Redesign Sport Key Findings:
- Participation Gaps: Nearly 4 in 10 girls - the equivalent of over one million Canadian girls - are missing out on sport, a number that jumps to 5 in 10 by age 16.
- Dropout Rates: For girls, dropout rates increase at age 16 and accelerate through their late teens, with more than 1 in 5 leaving sport during adolescence.
- Interest in Sports: Overall, 4 in 10 girls report being more interested than ever in playing sports and being active.
- Fan Engagement: 7 in 10 girls are keen to engage in women’s sports as fans.
- Impact of Appearance: 2 in 5 girls report that comments about their appearance, clothing, or religious attire impact their participation in sport.
- Role Models: Half of the girls surveyed feel inspired by coaches and role models who represent their diverse backgrounds.
- Family Support: Nearly 7 in 10 girls report that family members play a positive role in their sport experience.
- Body Confidence: 1 in 2 girls said participating in sport positively influences their body image, though 1 in 3 report that comments about their bodies undermine their confidence.
- Mental Health: 7 in 10 girls feel that sport and physical activity positively impact their mental health.
- Menstrual Cycle: Nearly 1 in 2 girls aged 13 to 18 feel that their menstrual cycle impacts their participation in sport.
A Call to Action:
Rally Report 2024 emphasizes that reimagining sport for girls requires the collective efforts of all leaders across the sport system. It calls for increased investment, girl-centred coaching practices, and the creation of safe, supportive environments where all girls feel welcome.
“We need to create sport opportunities that reflect the diverse experiences of girls,” added Sandmeyer-Graves. “Whether through affordable programming, culturally inclusive spaces, or menstrual product availability, every girl deserves to feel confident and empowered in sport. Our responsibility is to not only close the participation gap but to create an environment where every girl feels supported to thrive in sport.”
About Canadian Women & Sport
Canadian Women & Sport is a national nonprofit with a 43-year history of work as the leading voice and authority on women and sport. We believe in the power of sport as a platform for advancing equity for women across all areas of society. As such, we are committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive sport system that empowers women and girls as participants and leaders, within sport and through sport. www.womenandsport.ca
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Website: www.womenandsport.ca
