More girls in the UK are being encouraged into football thanks to a positive shift in attitude amongst parents, according to new research conducted by SSE.
The first ‘SSE Girls Sport Participation survey’, reveals that younger parents in particular are leading the way in promoting the sport to their daughters.
This is the kind of important behavioural shift that will ‘normalise’ sport for girls in the same way as it is for boys and will hopefully be even further ahead here in Ireland due to the higher profile afforded to Women’s sport in recent years.
Exploring parental attitudes to sport and football as well as participation and encouragement, the survey shows British parents are increasingly enthusiastic about their daughters playing football, going to see a professional match or even enjoying a career in the sport.
A recurring theme was the role that younger parents, those aged 40 and under, already play and suggests a new generation of mums and dads can lead the way in driving the future participation of girls in football.
Among the key findings are:
Being part of a team and increased physical fitness are the benefits for girls of playing football most cited by parents (both 78%).
Dads are generally happier than Mums for their daughters to pursue playing, coaching or administration careers in football, with younger parents more comfortable than older peers
When it comes to football careers being achievable for daughters it is younger parents who are more likely to agree. While Dads are more comfortable, when it comes to feeling achievable it is Mums who are most likely to agree that (with talent) there should be no limits to progress.
Younger (under the age of 40) parents are most likely to agree that they would take their daughter to a women’s professional game (38% of younger Dads strongly agree) and to a men’s professional game (39% of younger Dads strongly agree).
Younger Mums are most likely to disagree that ‘Football is a sport for boys’.
Age 5-7 is the sweet spot for girls to take up football. 53% of girls currently playing football first started at this age.
The survey was commissioned by SSE who currently sponsor the SSE Women’s FA Cup and SSE Scottish Women’s Cup as well as delivering Girls’ Participation Programmes in both England and Scotland.
“At SSE we’re passionate about women’s football and the growth of girls participating in the beautiful game, as demonstrated by our longstanding partnerships with the FA and Scottish FA and our many grassroots programmes,” said Colin Banks, Head of SSE Sponsorship and Reward.
“Our first ever SSE Girls Sport Participation survey is a powerful indication that this passion is shared by hundreds of thousands of parents across the country. It has revealed a step change in the attitudes parents have towards football in the context of their daughters playing, watching and working in the sport and significantly this is being driven by a new generation of younger mums and dads.”
“There is a tremendous opportunity for us all to work together to further establish football to be as accessible and fun for young people as we can, removing any barriers which girls may have faced in the past. Parents can be a hugely positive force behind this and SSE has a genuine desire and commitment to support them in helping their daughters enjoy football and all the benefits that brings.”
Last year Lidl, as part of their partnership with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, conducted research in Ireland which hsowed the challenges and opportunities that exist.
The main wake up call was that 50 percent of young girls who play sport have given up by the age of 14. It explored the reasons for this from parental attitude to body image and you can read more about it here.
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