GIRLS EMBRACE A SPORTING LIFE

By: Professor Rochelle Eime

Girls in Victoria joined community sport in droves before COVID-19, according to new Victoria University and Federation University research. 

An analysis of  five million participation state records for 10 popular sports* between 2015 and 2019 found female participation rates grew across all age groups, particularly for girls aged four to 14.

This age group showed an increase of about 34,000 for girls compared to a decline of around 15,000 participants for boys the same age.

The data showed girls showed highest growth in participation in sports traditionally dominated by males.

Lead researcher Professor Rochelle Eime said the research, funded by VicHealth and Sport and Recreation Victoria, demonstrates that participation in club-based sport is changing, and for the better. 

“It’s great to see that the policies, strategies and investments are working -- from the top-down, through government and VicHealth, and from the bottom-up, from the sports and clubs themselves,” she said.

“Boys and men have traditionally participated in club-based community sport, but with increased opportunities to play, we are seeing more women girls than ever before joining in.”

“This generation and future generations of girls and women can play whatever sport they choose. I would have loved to have played footy when I was young,” she said.

The growth rate for girls in sport was particularly strong in regional Victoria, where club sport extends into community life, especially in smaller towns. Here, nearly 70% of all girls aged 10-14 years were reported to be involved in sport. 

Professor Eime acknowledged that while any growth rate in female sport participation was positive, the rates are small, and more work is required to build club infrastructure capacity and volunteer numbers.  

With restricted or no sport participation during much of 2020 due to COVID-19, this research is important to monitor the recovery of community sport across regions, age and gender for healthier individuals and communities. 

*The sports included in the analysis were: Australian Rules Football; basketball; cricket; soccer; gymnastics; hockey; netball; sailing; swimming; and tennis.