Making sport fun again could keep more girls in the game, say Surrey researchers

Most girls (just) want to have fun when it comes to sport, and researchers from the University of Surrey say that forgetting this is driving many young women to quit.

In a study published by Cogent Psychology, researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 20 women aged 18 to 25 who had stopped taking part in swimming, gymnastics or ballet during their teenage years.

The study found that body image worries were a major reason why many of the young women gave up their sport. They often compared how their bodies looked and performed to others and usually felt they didn't measure up. Many participants also spoke about the pressure they felt from parents, coaches and schools, which made their sport less enjoyable and pushed them to drop out.

Gender stereotypes also played a role. Some girls were steered into sports that didn't suit them or were seen as "feminine". Others felt judged for not fitting the expected look or behaviour of a female athlete, making them feel out of place.

Professor Jane Ogden, lead author of the study from the University of Surrey, said:

"We need to get to grips with why so many girls disengage from sport, and this should be a red flag for anyone who cares about women's health. Too often, the sport they once loved stops being fun. They feel exposed in revealing uniforms, judged for how they look and pressured by parents or coaches. If we want girls to stay active, we need to make sports feel safe and supportive."

According to Women in Sport, 43% of girls who once saw themselves as sporty no longer do so by the end of their teenage years, compared to just 24% of boys. The same report echoes the Surrey study, with many girls saying they feel judged (68%), lack confidence (61%) or are held back by schoolwork and body concerns. More than three-quarters avoid exercise during their period, and 73% say they dislike being watched while playing sport.

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