ICOACHGIRLS: Increasing female participation in sport

ended

Research shows that girls are four times less likely than boys to engage in sport. The presentation of sport in typically male-oriented ways (i.e., selective, competition-based, delivered by male coaches, etc), makes sport a less attractive proposition for girls. This, compounded with young girls’ greater lack of competence compared to boys, lower levels of confidence, negative early experiences of sport and physical education, and the lack of family support, all add up to a global picture where few girls meet the WHO recommendations of daily physical activity with the associated risks for their physical and mental wellbeing. ICOACHGIRLS aims to promote and increase physical activity and sport amongst primary school age girls through the creation of “Girls Play Centres” in their local communities across six different countries (Ireland, Hungary, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Special Olympics – country to be decided). The centres will be aimed at girls that have never taken part in organised sport or that have tried and dropped out. Each centre will be staffed by two female head coaches to provide the girls with friendly, relatable role models. The head coaches will work with the girls to co-create a 10-session programme of activities which meets their social, psychological and physical needs, gives them a sense of ownership, and allows them to build a positive relationships with sport and physical activity. After the 10 sessions, the girls will be signposted to a series of sport clubs and active leisure activities in order to support their continuous involvement. ICOACHGIRLS will also aim to address the current lack of female coaches. Recent data shows that only 24% of coaches across the EU are female. Recent data also shows that the prevalence of male-dominated cultures and environments is the most important deterrent to many women not wanting to coach or dropping out of coaching after their first attempts. ICOACHGIRLS will therefore develop a “Come