Statistically, girls drop out of athletic extracurriculars by the age of 14 twice the rate compared to boys. This phenomenon is fueled by prejudice, stereotypes and exclusion that make young girls feel ostracized in sport communities.
Playing sports is far more than just staying healthy and active. Sports build confidence in young girls and skills that carry on throughout their lives. According to the UN, girls who play sports are more likely to stay in school and further their education, and there is a correlation between this and decreased teenage pregnancy. But how can we support girls to feel more comfortable taking up space in this male-dominated field? This women’s history month, try these 4 things to encourage women in sports and pave the way for brighter futures for our young girls.
1. Watch Women’s Sports
The easiest way to support women is by acknowledging their presence. The biggest misconception is that female sports aren’t interesting to watch, but this is far from the truth. Recently, female athletes have been taken centre stage, proving that gender doesn’t limit a person’s abilities. From dynamic athletes such as the WNBA’S Caitlyn Clark, rugby-playing Levi sisters, or the boundary breaking Alysia Liu. These are just some examples of women who are proving sports aren’t just for boys, and by watching Women’s sports it opens the door to bring more attention to these wonderful women and increases representation.
2. Donating
One of the biggest barriers for female athletes is the lack of funding. For most sports, compared to their male counterparts, female athletes receive less funding and are unable to participate and engage to the same extent despite having the same or even more qualifications. In 2025, the Canadian Women’s rugby team placed second at Women’s Rugby World Cup after fundraising over $1 million for resources to train and prepare the team for the Cup. Without the support of fans, the athletes wouldn’t have been able to represent Canada on the world stage and make waves in Canadian and Women’s sport.
3. Destigmatize
84% of girls stop playing sports after getting their first period. Many people still believe that women are not biologically fit to play sports, these beliefs stop girls from trying sports, building barriers that stay with them for the rest of their lives. We can dismantle stereotypes by breaking stigma around women in sports to create a more welcoming atmosphere for young girls to be confident in what activities they choose, including sports and athletics.
4. Mind Your Language!
The final way to support female athletics is a small gesture that can go a long way. Being mindful of the language we use surrounding female athletes seems insignificant but is extremely important. Phrases like “running like a girl” or “good for a girl” are harmful, and hearing them at a young age can drastically disparage young girls because it plants the idea that they will never be good enough.
Change starts from the grassroots. These small changes will build and build and help create even playing fields for athletes from all different backgrounds.