"Girls worldwide who play sport are more likely to attend and stay in school, more likely to finish their education, more likely to be in better health and earn higher wages during the course of their lives.”
- The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO
Participation in sport at any level from grassroots to high performance contributes to healthy and active living. We all want women and girls to be equally able to experience the joy of playing in a football team or achieving a personal best, the boost to physical and emotional well-being from staying active, and the associated benefits for their academic achievement, careers and family life. We know through academic graduation rates and other measures that women have skills, knowledge and experience that are equal to men.
However, females of all ages generally have lower physical activity participation rates than males. Understanding and addressing the barriers preventing more female participation in physical activity is complex. Evidence shows that gender and the needs of females should be considered when developing specific physical activity opportunities. This is also includes considering the needs of females from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
The evidence tells us that not enough females are sufficiently physically active and participation levels decline as females get older. Females are motivated by the fun, enjoyment and social aspects of physical activity. There is lots of research and information in this area, if you would like to learn more visit.
Female Football Factsheet - Player
VicHealth - Female Participation in Sport and Physical Activity
Victorian State Government - Change Our Game
NSW Government - Her Sport Her Way - Shaping the Future of Women's Sport in NSW