Drop-out

Teenage drop out

For many sports, retaining women and girls in sport provides a different and unique challenge.

WSFF commissioned the Futures Company to carry out a definitive piece of research to identify key reasons (practical, psycho-social and individual sport specific) for young women dropping out of sport, and identify further interventions to shape a new future.  

The research was designed to gain a deeper insight around drivers and barriers to participation amongst a key group of 16 to 19 year old girls as well as understanding sport-specific motivations.

Key links: 
The Futures Company
[email protected]
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summary_report.pdf

Women and sport at university

In September 2009 WSFF delivered a workshop at the annual BUCS conference. This factsheet captures some of the key elements of the presentation and the discussion that took place.

Key links: 
British Universities and Colleges Sport
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Women_and_sport_at_University.pdf

The player pathway for women and girls

This factsheet will assist coaches and clubs in developing the player pathway for women in their sport.

We need to better recognise that women and girls take up sport at many different ages and life stages. Governing bodies need to ensure that women of all ages are encouraged and supported to progress and reach their potential. After they have reached their peak, sports should also ensure that they are not lost to the sport.

 

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The_player_pathway_for_women_and_girls.pdf

Teenage girls and dropout

This factsheet explains the reasons why teenagers drop out of sport, and provides solutions for NGBs, clubs and coaches for retaining them.

It was first recognised in the 1957 Wolfendon Report that teenage girls were dropping out of sport at a faster rate than boys, this remains the case and unless the sport's sector acts this will not change.

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Teenage_girls_and_dropout.pdf

Fit For Girls - Bishopsbriggs Academy

We wanted to increase girls' participation in sport and physical activity at Bishopsbriggs School in Scotland.

Project detailsProject duration: 17 August 2009 - ongoing
Organisation: 
Bishopsbriggs School
Project name: 
Fit for Girls - Bishopsbriggs - Netball League
AudienceSchool
Age group: 
0 - 15
Recruitment and promotion
We kick-started the programme with netball team trials evenings, using posters and staff to promote the events; approximately 60 girls from S1 and S2 attended. We then used a second trials evening to further encourage these pupils and to sustain their interest. At this point girls were informed they had all been successful in their try-outs, that they would all be invited back and that they had ‘made’ the team.
Location
Regional
How was your project delivered?Netball
Partnership
Support from partners has been essential. Netball Scotland provided specialist coaches, constant guidance and advice; while the local sports centre provided the hire of facilities and equipment; and local newspapers promoted the league and reported on fixtures.
Results
Lessons: 
On average 90 girls from the six participating schools competed in the league competition. Around 40-50 of these pupils also attended the monthly coaching sessions.The league has resulted in a significant increase in the number of girls participating in regular sport and physical activity. The trials evenings ensured the girls developed a sense of identity and pride in representing their school and allowed us to sustain the high number participating in weekly training sessions, match fixtures and monthly specialist coaching sessions. We now find ourselves with around 5 squads and struggle to provide them all with a team kit! We have seen a vast improvement in the fitness level, skill level and overall attitude towards sport and physical activity; 80% of our S2 girls have gone on to select Standard Grade PE as one of their subjects to study in S3/S4. “Training and match nights were great fun and taught me a lot more skills and how to play netball better. I think that S2 netball was really good. I hope the S3 league is as good as I hope to have great fun again.” S2 pupil All schools have committed their involvement to the S1/S2 league next session, and an S3/S4 girl’s league will be introduced to continue the pathway for current participants. Netball Scotland has also requested that this programme be taken forward to set up an East Dunbartonshire Coaching School to develop an elite squad of netballers who will have the opportunity to be selected by scouts to represent Glasgow and/or Scotland Netball squads.
Themes

Growing and sustaining participation

The Bishopbriggs Academy was created to increase girls' participation in sport and physical activity. The schools involved in the programme conducted weekly coaching sessions with a focus on netball skills and fitness. The combination of competition and skills was critical to sustaining the group of girls. 

We invited specialist coaches to run monthly clinics for players that were interested and ran a weekly competitive league.

We have seen a vast improvement in the girls' fitness and skill levels and overall attitude towards sport and physical activity.  80% of our S2 girls have gone on to select Standard Grade PE as one of their subjects to study in S3/S4.

We have also introduced a transition netball programme for P6/P7 girls and a league style competition between primary schools.

Key links: 
Bishopbriggs Academy
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