Research shows many girls lack access to sports opportunities
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 30, 2026, 2:01 PM
Last updated Sep 30, 2026

A new report from the Women's Sports Foundation reveals that 54% of girls aged eight to 18 who have never played organized sports express a desire to participate. This access gap highlights the need for more opportunities for girls to engage in sports and encourages the ongoing development of programs that foster inclusion. The report also shows a significant belonging gap among teenage girls, who are less likely than boys to feel that sports are for them as they age. Strategies are urgently needed to maintain their interest and participation in sports as they transition into adolescence.
- •54% of girls interested in sports have never participated.
- •Youth sports have lasting impacts on health and confidence.
- •The participation gap persists despite professional women's sports growth.
- •Teenage girls report lower feelings of belonging in sports than boys.
- •Awareness of Title IX remains low among girls and their families.
- 2:01 PMYahoo Sports — Half of Girls Who Want to Play Sports Never Get the Chance
"Women’s sports have proven what is possible and every girl deserves the chance to find out for herself, writes Gabby Thomas.
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