Women in Sport is delighted to announce that Big Sister, our award-winning programme designed to support teenage girls to enjoy sport, exercise and physical activity during puberty, is today being rolled out across the UK in partnership with Places Leisure.
An initial pilot project, launched in May 2022 in partnership with Places Leisure, Places Foundation and Hey Girls, saw more than 3,000 teenage girls take up activities in their local leisure centres in South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Norfolk. 64% of girls that engaged in the project now enjoy taking part in sport and exercise more and 62% said their overall confidence has improved.
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62
%
of girls who took part said their overall confidence has improved
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64
%
of girls who took part said they now enjoy sport more
In 2022, a ground-breaking report by Women in Sport found 1.3 million teenage girls (43%), who once considered themselves ‘sporty’ are disengaging from sport following primary school. A fear of being judged by others, a lack of confidence in their ability, body image and puberty were found to be significant barriers to participation.
Created by girls for girls to combat this sharp drop-off in sport during teenage years, the Big Sister project put their needs and voices front and centre. Big Sister is the result of a shared vision to break down the barriers and address the stigma and gender stereotyping which can prevent girls from leading happy, healthy and active lives, and at a time in adolescence when they could benefit most.
Witnessing the positive impact the project has had on the lives of so many girls has driven Places Leisure to deliver the programme across all 100 Places Leisure Centres across the UK. Girls aged 9-15 across the country will now have access to free or discounted leisure centre membership, access to girls-only classes and the promise of girl-friendly leisure centre environments with staff trained to understand and meet their needs.
Sarah Roberts, Head of Fitness at Places Leisure said: “We have learnt so much about preconceptions and barriers in place when looking to engage girls going through puberty into activity.
“Inequality also remains huge for women in sport and we want to do all we can to break these barriers down at an early age and make sure girls feel comfortable and confident in places of exercise.
We want to do all we can to break these barriers down at an early age and make sure girls feel comfortable and confident in places of exercise.
Sarah Roberts, Head of Fitness at Places Leisure said
“The Big Sister project is game-changing, as we will support any girl aged 9-15 years old with their own local ambassador who will champion the benefits and enjoyment of sport, exercise and physical activity to girls and support them into making it a part of their life. Crucially, the programme is shaped by girls, for girls and provides those we support with real role models who have faced the same challenges they do.
“As part of the project, the package we offer includes free or half-price memberships, which gives the girls access to gyms, swimming, classes and more at such an important time of their life.”
Big Sister has debunked the myth that teenage girls are naturally averse to exercise.
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of Women in Sport
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Women in Sport CEO said: “Thanks to the commitment and dedication of Places Leisure, thousands of girls across the UK will have the opportunity to access gyms, pools and sport while being properly supported to do so. Big Sister has debunked the myth that teenage girls are naturally averse to exercise. We are currently experiencing a mental health crisis among our teenage girls, and we know exercise can be a powerful remedy. There has never been a more crucial time to encourage girls to get active.”
