In the week of International Women’s Day 2026, Women in Sport has teamed up with Ocean Outdoor to highlight how many girls are still missing out on all the benefits and joy sport can bring.
Despite the huge growth of women’s sport and the phenomenal success of the elite sportswomen the UK has witnessed in recent years, Women in Sport’s research continues to show that girls – especially teenage girls – are far more likely than boys to drop out of sport, or not take part at all.
Even the rate at which teenage girls dream of reaching the top in sport is declining. Despite the huge success of the Lionesses and Red Roses last summer, just 23% now say they dream of sporting glory; the lowest level since Women in Sport started tracking this trend in 2020 and a stark contrast with the 53% of boys who dream of being top sportsmen.
Source – Women in Sport