Did you know that 1 in 3 Canadian girls drop out of sports by their late teens?
According to research from Canadian Women & Sport, girls are not only more likely to drop out of sports than boys, but they are also more likely to not participate in sports at all.
For many young women, gender norms are a serious barrier to participation, making sports unappealing, unwelcoming or both. The lack of female participation in sports has serious implications for girls' mental and physical well-being and the future of women in sports.
The Sports Gender Gap: Why It Matters
Organized sports provide girls with a form of regular physical activity that is vital to their mental and physical well-being.
Sports promote positive social-emotional development by allowing children and youth to learn teamwork and build positive peer relationships.
Being part of a team sport can enhance young people's self-esteem and provide a sense of belonging.
Fewer girls in sports translates to fewer women in sports leadership roles.
Our Response
To bridge the gap in sports participation and allow girls to develop an appreciation for movement, the Jean Augustine Centre is introducing "Girls in Motion," a new initiative sponsored by Canadian Tire Jumpstart, designed to get girls moving.
The 8-week program is an opportunity for girls and young women to try out a host of activities and sports, including Martial Arts, CrossFit, Golfing, and Zumba, in a safe and supportive environment.
To appeal to adolescents' need for novelty, the program for young women ages 14-17 rotates activities every other week, preserving participants' interest while exposing them to different forms of movement.
“We've witnessed firsthand how girls' interest in sport declines in the teen years. We really want to push back against that by providing unique and tailored opportunities for them to feel the positive benefits of movement," expressed Jean Augustine Centre's Program Manager, Ziva Ferreira.
By offering a low-stakes, non-competitive environment, Girls in Motion allows girls to get involved in sports without the potential pressure of joining an organized team.
“We've witnessed firsthand how girls' interest in sport declines in the teen years. We really want to push back against that by providing unique and tailored opportunities for them to feel the positive benefits of movement."
— Ziva Ferreira, Program Manager
Thanks to Jumpstart's support, the Jean Augustine Centre is able to expand our sport and physical movement program offerings and provide girls with an accessible opportunity to participate in sports and physical activity.
To learn more and register for programs at the Jean Augustine Centre, please visit https://www.jeanaugustinecentre.ca/programs.
About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. Since 2005, Jumpstart has disbursed more than $225 million to help over 3 million kids and counting. For more information, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.
About the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's Empowerment
Established in June 2014 by the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment is committed to building the self-esteem and self-worth of girls and young women by positively influencing their outlook on life, broadening their horizons and helping them to empower themselves.
We offer after-school programming, workshops, camps and more for girls and young women from ages 7 to 17 in South Etobicoke and the Greater Toronto Area.
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