How to keep teenage girls participating in sports

In last month’s column, the positive impacts of athletics participation for girls was discussed — confidence development, the support of friends and less depression and sadness.

But statistics show girls drop out of sports at higher rates than boys as they transition into the teenage years. The trend is a loss for girls and society overall because the loss of numbers deprives us of leadership and healthy habits that sports help cultivate.

So why is this happening?

The answer is societal pressures and gender stereotypes. From a very young age, girls are constantly hit with messages about how they should look, behave and how they should spend their time. Girls can feel pressure to conform to these stereotypes, leading to a lack of focus on sports participation.

According to iSport360, social media is at the front of what girls see every day.

“Body image concerns are a significant barrier to girls’ participation,” said Amy Masters, a sports mom, coach and club administrator. “As girls go through puberty, they may become more self-conscious about their changing bodies ... Negative body image can lead to decreased confidence and motivation to participate in sports … We need to make sure girls are comfortable while playing … everything from what they wear to how they react to a mistake.”

Masters also said we need to promote positive body image and self-esteem by “celebrating diverse body types and challenging unrealistic beauty standards … have uniforms that support girls with different body types.”

The lack of female role models and representation in sports media, coaching staffs and leadership positions also can affect girls’ perceptions of their place in sports environments.

“Without female athletes to look up to, girls may struggle to envision themselves succeeding in sports or pursuing careers in athletics,” she said. “The lack of representation can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection … There is a dramatic drop in the number of female coaches. Girls need to see themselves in their coach …”

As I have reported in the past, female coaches still are in the minority, not just in male sports, but in female sports, as well. Masters said to help this situation, organizations should make an effort to increase the number of female coaches and staff, leaders in sports media and leadership positions.

“Provide opportunities for girls to connect with female mentors and role models. Have a female coach on staff to help girls,” Masters said.

I have noticed girls in the middle school years particularly experience cliques and unfair treatment at the hands of other girls. Battle this culture by developing inclusive and supportive environments within sports that prioritize teamwork, respect and friendships, not jealousies. All girls should feel welcome.

Coaches and administrators should include athletes in as many decisions as possible.

“Empower girls to take ownership of their athletic journey and make decisions that align with their interests, goals and values,” Masters said. “Encourage girls to advocate for themselves, express their opinions and participate in decision-making processes … Your culture will help players advocate for themselves.”

And you know what? A positive culture will help your teams to be successful on the court, on the field or in the pool.

Recommended Reading

Report shows clear benefits for girls who play sports

Nancy Justis is a former competitive swimmer and college sports information director. She is a partner with Justis Creative Communications and Outlier Creative Solutions and the founder of Iowa Youth Sports Initiative. Contact her at njustis@cfu.net.