Sporty girls – outdoor fun in Surrey

Variety, fun and friendship are key to getting more girls into sport. Samantha Laurie explores some quirky ideas that tick the right boxes

PHOTO: SUSANLUCIANI.COM

For all the podium successes in women’s sport and the empowering ad campaigns of recent years, grassroots participation is still floundering. Research depressingly reveals that 90% of 14 year old girls do less sport than recommended, compared to 50% of boys.

In survey after survey, girls say the same thing: they want to do sport with friends. They want more variety, ‘lighter’ versions of traditional fare; they want activities that are sociable, fun, relaxed and local, and they want to sample a few in the first instance. For a little inspiration try one of the following for size...

For more ideas try wsnet.co.uk/activemapx, a mapping service of 30,000 female-oriented sports classes and clubs run by Women’s Sports Network