Tennis coach teaching young girls and boys

Coaches Resource: Creating Mini Allies

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Gender stereotypes are embedded in us all. They lead to biases and inequalities with wide-reaching consequences for children.

In sport we know that gender stereotypes can limit girls’ sporting experience, undermine their sports skills, and with this their self-belief and joy.

But community sport can be a home from home for girls as well as boys. A good coach can transform a girls’ life and ensure she continues and succeeds in sport.

These guides will help you challenge the norm, tackle the gender play gap and champion the value of sport for all.

Level the playing field in community sport

  1. Challenge stereotypes: Everyone has the power to recognise and challenge stereotypes. Unpick any limiting assumptions made by coaches, children and parents.
  2. Change the narrative: Talk in a way that allows boys to express vulnerability, and to challenge their peers if they are excluding girls.
  3. Close the gender skills gap: As a result of stereotyping and lack of opportunity, more girls than boys will lack sporting skills, but they can build these quickly and this should be a priority for every club.

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a dad giving his daughter a piggy back

Parents Resource: Creating Mini Allies

Families are all different but are united by being the first and most important influence in a child's life. This guide will help you challenge accepted norms, tackle the gender play gap and champion the value of sport for all.

Young children in school PE hall

Teachers Resource: Creating Mini Allies

In sport, girls are limited by stereotypes that stifle their joy, prevent them from learning skills and steal their self-belief. Find out how you can prevent stereotyping in your primary school today.

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What’s Your Little One Made Of?

Our latest research shows that boys as young as five have already learnt that sport is not for girls. Let's debunk this myth and raise the next generation of Mini Allies.