Our Research and Insights

Why are women with a health condition or disability missing out on the benefits that sport and physical activity brings as they get older?

There is a significant gender gap in the participation rates of Higher Education students. Only 48.6% of female students take part in physical activity once a week compared to 64.7% of their male counter parts.

Girls aged 11-18 years old exercise less regularly and for less time than boys. Only 8% of girls meet the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendation that young people aged 5 -18 should do 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Currently women are under-represented in senior leadership roles and on Boards in the sector. There is also evidence of discrimination and negative workplace culture.

This research focuses on gender discrimination within sports volunteering and sets out best practice solutions to counter this disparity.

Changing the Game for Girls: In Action set out to better understand the low levels of physical activity among young girls in the UK, and to uncover new ideas to help more girls get, and stay, active.

Why are women continuing to miss out on the benefits that sport and physical activity brings as they get older?

The health benefits of leading an active lifestyle are widely known and researched but – until now – there has been little research into the socio-economic benefits of taking part in sport and physical activity.

This report looks at the impact of elite sport stars on girls. The Football Association (FA) runs an established ambassador programme, enabling female football players to share their stories and inspire at a local level, with female players visiting schools and community groups for a number of years.

Participation in sport and physical activity declines in the colder, darker autumn and winter months. This report outlines the barriers to women taking part in sport in the winter and how to tackle autumn/winter drop-out rates.