In research by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, it has been revealed that 40% of females suffered negative experiences of sport at primary and secondary school compared to their male counterparts.
However, those that claim these experiences have influenced their current physical activity habits are the same with each gender.
Improving the school sport experience for girls would have a significant impact on the number of women continuing to use sport and recreation as part of a healthy adult lifestyle.
The research also shows that those in higher managerial positions were most likely to have had a positive experience in school sport with over half of this group also confirming that these experiences have influenced their current physical activity.
Previous research has shown that girls are less likely to enjoy taking part in physical activity at school when compared to boys. However, it is a worrying trend that this continues into adulthood and can have serious repercussions on creating an active nation.
“There is a direct correlation between girls’ future life chances and the amount of physical activity they do in their younger years," Chris Wright, its head of wellbeing told The Independent.
“Quite often high-flying businesswomen talk about being very involved in sport when they were younger. Doing sport as children appears to help girls feel empowered and able to achieve things.”
The Sport and Recreation will be asking the question – ‘Why have we failed our children?’ in the annual sport summit on 11 July at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.
Exploring how a traditional South Asian sport is building community, fostering inclusion, and shaping a more diverse and representative sporting landscape across the United Kingdom.
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Each year on 12 August, International Youth Day shines a spotlight on the vital contributions young people make in building a better, more inclusive world. The 2025 theme, “Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation Through Technology and Partnerships”, underscores the creativity, leadership, and collaborative spirit that young people bring to addressing global challenges.
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The Sport and Recreation Alliance has today published its new five-year strategy, titled ‘A United Voice for Sport and Recreation’.
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Joining the Sport and Recreation Alliance is pretty simple, but worthwhile!
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