The House of Commons reported the percentage of girls enjoying PE has fallen from 74% in 2016 to 63% in 2023, despite boys’ enjoyment remaining at 86%.
Concerns have been raised following numerous similar reports surrounding self-confidence issues for young girls, school pressure, and other barriers to sport in secondary school.
Barriers
Women in Sport created a report that explored numerous barriers that lead to young girls disengaging from sport in their teens.
They found the results depended on a girls’ level of engagement- never sporty, used to be sporty, or sporty now.
The main barrier for girls in sport across the board are periods, self-esteem issues, and pressure with schoolwork.
Periods
For a lot of young girls, worries surrounding their period can become a massive barrier to sport.
The Youth Sport Trust found that periods have consistently been reported as the biggest barrier to teenage girls’ participation in PE.
They found that 61% of girls aged 11 over worry about leaking in their PE kit.
Initiatives have been taken on a national level to combat this issue for women in sport with the Lionesses switching to blue shorts instead of white to tackle period concerns from players.
What about Liverpool?
Ellie Fox, Women and Girls football development officer, gave examples of how the Liverpool FA are breaking down these barriers.
She said: “I think football is such a magical thing especially within Liverpool we live and breathe it- it’s in our culture.
“People love the competitiveness, the physicality and some love the social side, the mental health side.”
Liverpool FA is the governing body for football in Merseyside and are responsible for setting standards within the game.
Ellie talked about the numerous initiatives put in place by the Liverpool FA to encourage women to stay or get into sport.
She said: “We’ve worked hard over the last couple of seasons to ability band the league as much as possible.
“It’s so much more than just the traditional game of putting a ball in the back of the net and winning.
“We’ve got our traditional football game, but we do a lot of work behind the scenes to support if people want to come and enjoy the social aspect of football.”
School and work pressures
A natural drop-off for those aged 16-18 occurs in sport due to different school pressures and finding part-time work.
Ellie expressed the importance of the Liverpool FA’s programmes in aiding the drop off with girls aged 16-18.
She said: “Naturally, same with the male side, we see a drop off around 16-18, and I think that’s a lot around education and those looking for work- that’s always been something we’ve seen.
“We’ve had such a massive growth from a youth age perspective that we try to work tirelessly with leagues to try and retain the girls.
“We’re with universities, colleges, and within schools to make sure that they’re getting that physical activity and ensuring that they have that balance.”
Impact of WSL
The popularity of the Women’s Super League (WSL) continues to grow each season, including Liverpool and Everton women’s teams.
Liverpool set an attendance record in the 2022/23 season, 27,574 fans, at their game against Everton.
Everton also set an attendance record in the same season with 22,161 fans attending their Goodison Park game against Liverpool.
Liverpool FA hold their county cup, both boys’ and girls’ competitions, at Walton Hall Park- the home of Everton women’s team.
Ellie said: “For those under 14s and under 16s playing their county cup final at a WSL ground must be absolutely fantastic.
“To see some of their reactions has been fantastic to see and to get the opportunities to go through the tunnel and everywhere.
“I think it’s really important that exposure and role model and girls thinking that could be me one day.
“Having that locally I think is really important to get the grassroots communities to the games and get involved.”
She inspires League
The She Inspires League is a monthly recreational league for all women of abilities.
With over 450 women taking part aged 18 to 60 years old, the league provides a place for everyone to enjoy football casually.
Ellie Fox said: “It’s not all about the winning aspect it’s about how we can come together as a community to bring a positive and kind atmosphere to it.
“It offers a range of different opportunities for individuals.
“The She Inspires league is so important because it offers casually football once a month.
“It’s about what the people want- I always say it’s not our league it’s their league it’s what they want.”
Comfortable environment
A massive barrier for girls in sports can be feeling out of place or body image issues, especially around puberty.
The Liverpool FA ensure throughout their programmes that all members are comfortable in their kit and environment.
Ellie said: “That leadership of giving them a voice and giving them a choice- if they don’t feel comfortable putting something on that’s ok, making sure the equipment is fit for purpose.
“Making sure bibs aren’t too tight, is it comfortable and it’s brilliant because we provide a range of different kind of opportunities.”
What needs to be done?
Stevie Donougher, Lead Strength and Conditioning coach for Warrington Wolves Women, gave her thoughts on what could be done to help to encourage young women stay in sport.
(Feature under Alamy image license)
