Why Inclusion in Sport Matters for Teenage Girls
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- 18 hours ago
- 5 min read
Sport has long been recognised as a powerful tool for improving physical health, but for teenage girls, its impact goes far deeper. Inclusive sporting environments play a critical role in shaping wellbeing, mental health, confidence, and lifelong fitness habits. Yet despite these benefits, a significant number of girls disengage from sport during adolescence. Understanding why—and addressing it through inclusion—is essential.
The Drop-Off Problem
Research from Women in Sport reveals a sharp drop in teenage girls’ participation in sport, with 43% who once identified as “sporty” disengaging after primary school, compared with just 24% of boys of the same age. Driven by fears of judgement, changing bodies and low confidence many girls are pushed out during a critical stage of development—despite the well-known benefits of physical activity for mental health and life skills. The findings highlight deep-rooted barriers highlighting an urgent need for schools, sports organisations and communities to better support girls and keep them engaged in sport.
Sport England’s research shows a persistent gender gap in activity levels, with fewer girls meeting recommended physical activity guidelines than boys. These figures highlight that disengagement is not about ability—but about experience. When girls drop out of sport, they don’t simply “replace” it with another structured activity—research shows a clear shift toward more sedentary, less socially connected, and often more screen-based behaviours, alongside increased academic and social pressures. Data from Sport England (Active Lives Children and Young People Survey) shows that girls who are less active are significantly more likely to spend their free time using social media, streaming content or doing school work – all inactive activities that do not increase endorphin flow and wellbeing. Similarly, research from Women in Sport highlights that as girls begin to disengage with sport there is a correlation with the increase in screen time. This matters because sedentary behaviour is linked to poorer physical health and lower wellbeing compared to active leisure. According to NHS Digital, teenage girls already report higher levels of social media use than boys, and this increases with age.
Women in Sport research also suggests that fear of judgement—often amplified by social media—can both cause and reinforce disengagement from sport, creating a cycle that’s hard to break.
The Role of Inclusion
Inclusion in sport goes beyond simply allowing girls to take part. It means creating environments where they feel safe, respected, seen and valued regardless of ability, appearance, or background.
When sport is inclusive:
Girls feel less judged
Participation becomes enjoyable
Confidence increases
A sense of belonging is created
Without the correct approach to inclusion, sport can simply reinforce insecurities. With it, sport becomes a space for growth.
The Power of a Supportive and Inclusive Coach
While facilities and programmes matter, one of the most influential factors in a girl’s sporting experience is the coach. A supportive, inclusive coach can be the difference between lifelong engagement and early dropout.
Sport England highlights those positive relationships with trusted adults—such as coaches—are key drivers of sustained participation in physical activity. For teenage girls in particular, the coaching approach can strongly influence both wellbeing, self-worth and motivation.
An inclusive coach creates an environment where girls:
Feel psychologically safe to try, fail, and improve
Are encouraged rather than criticised
Are valued for effort, not just performance
Feel seen and respected as individuals and member of a team
During adolescence, when confidence is often fragile for girls this is crucial. Research from Women in Sport shows that many girls fear being judged and left out in sport settings. A coach who actively reduces this fear—by promoting encouragement, fairness, and empathy—can dramatically improve engagement.
Impact on Mental Health
A supportive coach does more than improve performance in the game —they contribute directly to mental wellbeing of their team.
There is a wealth of evidence that positive sporting experiences can reduce anxiety in teenagers as well as improve their moods, build resilience and strengthen self esteem and coaches play a central role in shaping these experiences through their positive feedback, their inclusive language, both body language and verbal communication to ensure girls feel valued, heard and invested in. Conversely, overly critical and performance-focused coaching can increase anxiety and contribute to dropout.
Coaching Style and Retention
Studies consistently show that girls are more likely to stay in sport when it is fun, social, and supportive rather than just highly competitive. Girls who enjoy sport will be motivated to be successful and engage in more competition. Coaches who prioritise enjoyment and personal development over winning create environments where girls want to return. This approach aligns with Sport England’s findings that enjoyment is one of the strongest predictors of continued participation.
Benefits, habits connection and identity
The connection between sport and mental health is well established. Sport England reports strong evidence that physical activity positively impacts the mental health of young people.
For teenage girls, inclusive sport environments can:
Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
Improve emotional wellbeing
Build confidence and resilience
Provide a sense of routine and stability
However, these benefits depend on the environment—and the coach is central to shaping that environment.
Girls who stay engaged in sport are more likely to maintain active lifestyles into adulthood, which in turn reduces their risk of long-term health issues and supports overall wellbeing. This is why the teenage years are so important; when girls drop out during adolescence, this pathway is often lost so inclusive coaching can help prevent this by keeping girls engaged during this critical stage.
Sport provides important opportunities for social connection. For teenage girls, it can be a space to build friendships, develop identity, and feel part of a community and coaches play a key role here too. By fostering teamwork, valuing each individual, providing a sparse that offers inclusivity and respect, they help create environments where girls feel they belong and can thrive.
Going forward…
It is essential that whether we are running school clubs, community clubs or higher levels teams that coaches prioritise engagement and wellbeing. Youth sport must prioritise inclusion at every level through
Training coaches in inclusive and supportive practices
Promoting positive coaching behaviours
Creating environments focused on enjoyment and development
Listening to girls’ experiences and adapting accordingly Sport England emphasises that sport must evolve to better meet the needs of young people—and coaching is central to that change.
Inclusion in sport is essential for supporting teenage girls’ mental health, wellbeing, and physical fitness. While many factors influence participation, the role of a supportive, inclusive coach is one of the most powerful. A coach who has the ability to create a safe, encouraging, and enjoyable environment can transform a girl’s experience of sport—helping her stay active, build confidence, feel valued, included and encourage lifelong healthy habits that will stay with her well past her time in team sport. With nearly half of girls disengaging from sport during adolescence, investing in inclusive coaching is not just beneficial—it is necessary.
Finally, reiterating Sport England, youth sport must evolve to better meet the needs of young people not just for fitness but for life long habits, for wellbeing and to give youths a springboard for an active health lifestyle in adult life.
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