Encouraging girls' participation in sports (EGPiS)

The literature on youth sport stresses the positive effects of participation in learning the important life skills of goal setting and time management combined with enjoyment; the development of a strong sense of morality; and the development of an appreciation of diversity . Longitudinal studies have shown that children and youth participating in sport, when compared to peers who do not play sport, exhibit:
- higher grades, expectations, and attainment;
- greater personal confidence and self-esteem;
- more restraint in avoiding risky behaviour; and
- stronger involvement in volunteer work .

These outcomes are thought to be related to the contribution of sport to learning values and skills associated with initiative, social cohesion, self-control, persistence, and responsibility . Theories of positive youth development stress the importance of sport in acquiring skills that are beneficial in other domains (e.g., school, family, work) that lead to better adaptive skills . Furthermore, sport can help to prevent childhood obesity which comes along with serious public health challenges in EU member states . In conclusion, sport activity is vital to the holistic development of young people, fostering their physical, social and emotional health. The benefits of sport reach beyond the impact on physical well-being and the value of the educational and social benefits of sport should not be under-estimated.

However, latest studies reveal that sport participation among European children and adolescents is far from being consistent. Even though a “majority of 15-24 year-olds (64%) exercise or play sport at least once a week”, physical activity tends to drop off between the ages of 11 to 15 in most European countries and the difference between genders is strongest in this age group: 74 % of boys and young men exercise on a regular basis, whereas the participation among girls and young women in the same age group only amounts to 55 %. “ EGPiS aims at investigating the reasons for this development in order to develop tools to overcome the common barriers that keep girls from exercising such as missing infrastructure and sport facilities, competition, negative experiences at school etc and providing the possibility to experience sports as fun and enjoyment in a nonthreatening environment.

This objective will be achieved through common research and exchange of experiences as a basis for the development of strategies and tools able to prevent young girls from dropping out of sports and motivate adolescents to reassume sporting activities, respectively. By building a connection between physical education at schools and extracurricular activities, the project’s efforts will involve teachers as well as trainers and that way will be able to address girls’ needs on more than one level. A pilot programme will be launched in close cooperation between a school and a sports association enabling the partnership to review and possibly improve the developed methodology within the duration of the project.

Main activities:
- Surveys and Studies
- Meetings between stakeholders and target group
- Establishing of transnational working groups
- Pilot project

Partner profiles searched:
- Sport related associations or NGOs