Why do girls and women participate in sports? Why not?
“Empowered women, Empower women. Empowered women empower an entire village”
Sport was my catalyst; inclusion, belonging, and achievement were my wonderful companions. The physical benefits of exercise speak for themselves; they are widely published and include:
“Reduced risk of dying prematurely, reduced risk of dying from heart disease, reduced risk of developing diabetes and colon cancer, reduced feelings of depression, and anxiety. Exercise helps to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. It helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling. It promotes psychological well-being, helps to control weight, build lean muscle mass and reduce body fat, and helps release stress” (1) [Source -http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/exer.htm]
However, while I fully support the physical and health benefits of exercise, I want to focus on the social/economic benefits of introducing and exposing young girls in sports and to exercise/activity early on in life.
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I want to talk about the health and well-being aspect of participating in sport; delve right into the stronger sense of self, increased value in body image, a greater sense of belonging, and teamwork all the amazing things that can happen when girls and women participate in sport. Particularly in the areas of deprivation, I want to discuss what can we do to ensure this opportunity invites everyone in and not only those fortunate enough to have the support at home to facilitate the participation of women and girls in sports.
We cannot dictate what opportunities are available at home but as a society, we can ensure that every local park has green gyms, climbing facilities, sports areas with goals, and or overhead shooting options. All of which will enhance gross motor skills, fine motor skills, creative play/thinking, problem-solving, and hand-eye coordination.
“Sport has been one of the most important socio-cultural learning
experiences for boys and men for many years.” Those same benefits should
be afforded by our daughters”. (2)
“High school girls who play sports are less likely to be involved in an
unintended pregnancy; more likely to get better grades in school and more
likely to graduate than girls who do not play sports”. (2)
“Girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem and lower levels of depression”. (2)
“Girls and women who play sports have a more positive body image and experience higher states of psychological well-being than girls and women who do not play sports”. (2)
[Source-https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/advocacy/benefits-sports-participation-girls-women]
The reported outcomes are huge; this is more than promoting a healthy body/healthy mind. This is about life-changing outcomes.
There has been a massive shift over the years in the publicity around female participation in sports, but we still have a long way to go. While I fully advocate the participation of girls and women in sports and fully understand and support the benefits; the sense of belonging, sportsmanship, and the lifelong benefits of being fit, active, and healthy can be enjoyed and nurtured at a local recreational level; the benefits are not restricted to elite athletes.
“No matter what life throws at you, or how unfair you think it is, never give up. Pick yourself up and go on” (Megan Rapinoe, Soccer Player)
Think about the message in this quote and think about how it can be applied to everyday life. While it is related to football; grit, tenacity, and determination will stand the test of time in any given situation in life.
Now think of your role as a woman; what part can you play to nurture and enhance these life skills. What can you do within your life and circle of influence to nurture and support a love of sport and or activity? We know that the most deep-rooted success comes from passion, but what if there is no passion, how can you make physical activity enjoyable enough that it allows each child to opportunity belong in the arena. Create opportunities for your children to build strength, hand-eye coordination, and balance. Teach them skills that will enhance their physical development, as we know children are more likely to engage when they feel they are good at something.
Sport wasn’t a big focus in our home when I was growing up, but it certainly was when I was raising my girls. Opportunities were not so widely available back then, but my passion is what got me in the arena, and my love of football has made the world of difference in my life.
Sport led me to a wonderful career, one I have greatly enjoyed. Alongside my Sports development roles and assistant development roles, I also ran my own private gymnastics club for 10 years.
Coaching girls and boys aged 5-16 every Friday for 10 years gave me an incredible sense of achievement, not from what I received but from what I was able to give. I allowed every child that walked through that door the opportunity to be exactly who they were. I celebrated every child through achievements, awards, and the tiniest acts of kindness and encouragement were celebrated in such a way, that every child knew they belonged in that arena; they knew their skill level was secondary to who they were as people.
Of course, I had a job to nurture talent, and I sent many children on to more developed and successful clubs, but everyone belonged to my club; from the child who had never tried gymnastics, to the child who was very skilled. I had one message and that was we all belong.
There was no great monetary success for me in my line of work, but it gave me a platform to reach many people, and when people say “Don’t be so busy making a living you forget to make a life” I say I know all about making a life; I am just a little behind in the making a living.
During the worst and best times of my life; sport provided solace, a sense of belonging, and much more. For me, it is the best form of meditation and self-care; the ability to look after my body and mind during times of such uncertainty and trauma, I have no doubt whatsoever that sport saved me. Even at 44, football is the one thing that offers a reset, and a mental break. For that hour, football is my meditation; it neutralizes the mind and offers a rest from the hustle and bustle of life, not to mention time away from technology.
My advice to anyone looking to get active is to find an activity you enjoy: if you love walking then walk, if you love dancing then dance. The key is in the enjoyment, and the habits you create along the way.
Link in with the THIS GIRL CAN Campaign- it has the most wonderful message:
No one gets to choose how you exercise other than you. Your body, your call. And whatever that looks like, we think it’s worth celebrating. This Girl Can, funded by The National Lottery, believes that there’s no “right” way to get active. However, you jiggle, kick, lift, stretch, or sprint, it’s time to get moving how you damn please (3). https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/
I will always be an advocate for sport/activity and an advocate for women and girls in sports honoring themselves. In January 2022, I read an article that introduced me to the power of morning exercise.
For me, it was not about what I set out to do at that time, but more about the possibility of owning that time.
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As a mother of 2 daughters who are now 25 and 22, and a gran to a 6-year-old granddaughter (yes, I am a very young gran), I find it hard to set aside time for myself. I am very much a self-proclaimed ‘Human Care Giver’. Being present and available is the single most important thing to me but showing up as the best version of myself is also vitally important. We all know you cannot pour from an empty cup. I want to continue to show up for myself, and for my people and I want to lead by example. I want to show my girls and my granddaughter that I matter, they matter, and that self-care begins the moment we understand our unique value in this world. I want to allow them an opportunity to honor themselves.
“When you think you need more grit, what you need is more help and when you think you need more discipline what you need is more kindness” (Emily and Amelia Nogosky)
In January 2022, I decided while there were things out of my control, the one thing I could control was the first hour of the day. I have stuck to this routine every day since the 5th of January, and it has enhanced my life in more ways than I could ever have imagined.
My routine looks like this:
6.30 am – Wake up: Set intentions for the day/ who do I need to show up for/ who do I need to connect with?
List 3 things I am grateful for
Get up and make my bed
- Plank- 1.5 mins
- Press Ups x25
- Wall Sit- 3 minutes
- Fully body stretch, including split stretch and bridge
- Meditation- 5 minutes
- Morning Walk -20-30 minutes (while listening to motivational video/podcast)
- Get fully ready for the day ahead
7.30/8 am Allow the world in.
The first hour is mine, with no phone other than for podcasts. No matter what the day brings, I am on the front foot, I am not in reaction mode. I have set the scene for the day and no matter what happens I know I can return to my baseline, which is where I start every day.
“Exercise is a celebration of what your body can do” (Mel Robbins)
Not sure where to start, then start by doing one thing every day just for you. You deserve it!
Here’s to future generations of girls and women who honor themselves and fully embrace sport/activity and all it has to offer.
Sport is my legacy; love is my legacy.
References
- http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/womenshealth/factsheets/exer.htm
- https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/advocacy/benefits-sports-participation-girls-women
- https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/
Michelle Bauge
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