Girls in the UK who participate in after-school sports are 50% more likely to secure top professional roles later in life, according to new research. The findings suggest that the benefits of sport for girls extend far beyond fitness, equating to the same long-term career boost as earning a university degree.
Participation Gap Between Boys and Girls
Despite these benefits, the report found that girls are still far less likely to play sport than boys. Between the ages of 11 and 18, girls miss out on an average of 1.4 hours of sport per week, amounting to a staggering 280 million lost hours annually.
Financial barriers and lack of local access keep around 340,000 girls excluded from opportunities. A third of girls surveyed also reported that boys had access to a wider range of sports, reinforcing inequality from an early age.
How Sport Builds Key Skills
The research highlights that women who played sport as children developed greater resilience, confidence, and adaptability. They were almost a third more likely to handle pressure effectively and a fifth more likely to enjoy taking on new challenges.
These qualities, researchers argue, are directly linked to higher chances of career advancement, particularly in senior leadership roles where problem-solving and teamwork are essential.
Government Response and Investment
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy acknowledged the barriers that persist despite progress in broadcasting and visibility of women’s sport.
She announced government plans to invest £400 million in under-served areas lacking sports facilities, alongside efforts to revise school curriculums to ensure equal access for boys and girls. A new women’s sport taskforce will also be launched to drive systemic change.
Economic Value of Girls’ Participation
The study, produced by research firm Public First, calculated the wider benefits of sports access. Enabling every 18-year-old girl to play sport could generate £30,000 in lifetime economic gains per person.
By 2035, the overall benefit could reach £6.5 billion, including:
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- £570 million in annual productivity growth
- £73 million in annual NHS savings through improved health outcomes
Boys Get Priority in Facilities
One of the most telling findings was the structural advantage boys continue to enjoy. The report found boys aged 11–18 play an extra 1.4 hours of sport weekly, the equivalent of 52 football matches a year.
Nearly a third of girls said boys’ teams get priority access to pitches and facilities, often forcing girls to step aside or disengage altogether by the age of 11.
Team Sports and Leadership Development
The research also pointed out that boys are 1.5 times more likely to play team sports, while girls often choose fitness classes or solo exercise. This trend, though positive for fitness, denies girls the leadership and teamwork skills that come with team sports.
Interviews revealed that many adult women regretted dropping out of team sports during adolescence, realizing later how it impacted their confidence and career development.
Historical Inequality in Girls’ Sport
Professor Stacey Pope, a sports sciences expert at Durham University, emphasized that these inequalities are not new.
Her research shows consistent patterns of gender divides in sport stretching back to the 1950s, when girls were discouraged or even prohibited from playing sports like football and rugby.
Even today, misogynistic attitudes toward women’s sport remain widespread, with recent studies confirming that stereotypes continue to hinder girls’ participation.
Role of Media in Driving Change
The report noted that media coverage of women’s sport plays a major role in shaping attitudes. Increased visibility leads to more progressive views among men and boosts girls’ confidence in joining sport.
Broadcast partners are urged to expand coverage of women’s events to normalize equal participation and inspire the next generation.
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Sky, which commissioned the research, has called for targeted tax relief on women’s sport production, arguing it would increase both the quality and quantity of coverage while creating more jobs in the sports media sector.
Experiences of Sexism in Sport
A significant barrier remains the hostile environment faced by many girls. Among 11–18-year-olds surveyed:
- One in three reported sexist comments while playing.
- The figure rose to 42% among 15–18-year-olds.
- Nearly 24% experienced sexual comments during sports activities.
These experiences discourage participation, making it even harder for girls to gain the long-term benefits sport can provide.
Inspiration from Professional Athletes
The study also found a strong link between watching professional women’s sport and participation.
- 55% of girls said professional athletes inspired them to play.
- 65% agreed that seeing diverse athletes reinforced that sport is for everyone.
Such representation, researchers argue, is essential to breaking down cultural barriers and inspiring wider participation.
Broadcasters and Responsibility
Sky’s CEO Dana Strong emphasized that while broadcasters are essential in providing visibility, media alone cannot close the participation gap.
She urged collaboration between government, schools, sports organizations, and broadcasters to dismantle barriers and create environments where girls feel welcomed and encouraged.
Bottom Line
The research makes clear that girls’ participation in sport is more than a leisure activity—it is an investment in Britain’s social and economic future.
With sport shown to provide benefits equivalent to a university degree and billions in potential economic impact, addressing gender inequality in access to sport is both a moral and economic imperative.
FAQs – Girls and Sport in the UK
Q1: How much more likely are girls who play sport to get top jobs?
Girls who play after-school sport are 50% more likely to reach top professional roles, equivalent to the benefit of holding a university degree.
Q2: What barriers stop girls from playing sport?
Barriers include cost, lack of local facilities, sexist attitudes, and boys receiving priority access to pitches and resources.
Q3: What economic impact could wider participation have?
By 2035, enabling girls’ participation could deliver £6.5 billion in economic and health benefits, including productivity gains and NHS savings.
Q4: How does media coverage affect girls’ participation in sport?
Research shows that watching professional athletes inspires over half of girls to play and that diverse representation makes sport feel more inclusive.
Q5: What steps are being taken by the government?
The government has pledged £400 million for new facilities, changes to school curriculums for equal access, and a women’s sport taskforce to push reforms.
