Girls Are Dropping Out of Sport

Up to 62% of Canadian adolescent girls are not participating in any sport, and one in three who have participated drop out by late adolescence. Girls are more than three times as likely as boys to drop out during this period, and only 18% of women aged 16-63 remain involved in sport. These statistics highlight a significant issue, emphasizing the urgent need for improvement.

 The Challenge

Keeping girls in sport requires a different approach than the one traditionally used for boys' programs. To address this issue, we must first understand what is pushing girls out of sport. The outdated belief that teenage girls leave sport simply because their priorities change no longer holds up. Research reveals that 59% of teenage girls who stop playing a sport do so because of stereotyping, inequitable opportunities, and a lack of education about managing female athletes. Teenage girls are not voluntarily leaving sport—they are being pushed out by systemic barriers and deep-rooted gender stereotypes.

Why It Matters

Excluding girls from sport denies them the joy, fulfillment, and lifelong benefits that sport and exercise provide. Being pushed out of sport during their formative years deprives girls of opportunities for improved mental well-being, the development of critical life skills, and pathways to success in future careers, including business leadership and executive roles.

Call to Action

We must do better. Girls deserve equitable opportunities to participate in sports and to experience the transformative power it can have on their lives. Together, we can break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build programs that empower girls to stay active and thrive in sport.

Source: Canadian Women & Sport