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A bumper summer of female sporting events has inspired millions of women to get back into sports \u2013 after years of fear and judgement, a study has found. Encouraged by competitions such as the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup, the Women\u2019s Ashes, and Wimbledon, 59 percent of women have started training with an old sports team again.<\/p>\n
And a poll of 2,000 females, aged 18-65, found 46 percent feel motivated to try sport after seeing the empowerment and determination showed by these professional female sporting stars.<\/p>\n
It also emerged 31 percent of women over 45 played sports when they were younger, but dropped out as a teenager \u2013 with being \u201ctoo sweaty\u201d, and not feeling \u201cgood enough\u201d to take part, among the top reasons.<\/p>\n
But now, many are dusting off their boots, digging out their racquets, and getting back to action.<\/p>\n
Sure UK, a supporter of women\u2019s sports, commissioned the research after launching the Breaking Limits: Girls Can Football Series, which aims to provide funding and training to give young people access to sport coaches, communities, and safe spaces.<\/p>\n
Former Lionesses goalkeeper Carly Telford, who is partnering on the campaign, said: \u201cToo many women have missed out on years of enjoyment, fitness, and socialising, due to feeling unable to continue with team sports \u2013 and it\u2019s about time they feel inspired to get back into the sports they enjoy without fear.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s still a long way to go, and so much more that we need to do to promote women\u2019s sport in all corners of the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo normalise women succeeding on pitches, courts, and fields should be everyone\u2019s goal, and both consumers and organisations have roles to play to make this a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study, via OnePoll, found there is more to do, however, as 77 percent of women believe that society needs to promote female sporting role models.<\/p>\n
And 36 percent worry about being treated differently to men if they were to participate in sports \u2013 leaving 64 percent put off trying sports altogether as a result.<\/p>\n
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But putting worries aside, the future of women in sport looks bright, with the most popular sports they\u2019d like to be involved in named as football (37 percent), netball (21 percent), and athletics (15 percent).<\/p>\n
A quarter voted netball as the most inclusive sport for women, followed by athletics (15 percent), and football (15 percent).<\/p>\n
And half believe women\u2019s football will eventually be as popular as men\u2019s football \u2013 if not more so.<\/p>\n
For 74 percent, playing as part of a team has worked wonders for their mental health, while 51 percent said sports has had a positive influence on their life overall.<\/p>\n
Alice Duffill, from Sure UK&I, said: \u201cMovement has the power to transform lives. Everyone should be able to experience all the incredible physical, mental, and social benefits movement brings \u2013 whoever you are, however you move.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut in our increasingly unequal societies, social, economic, and physical barriers stand in the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cInspiring women and girls to play sport, through promoting and raising awareness of professional athletes who look like them, is key in breaking down some of those barriers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re committed to growing women\u2019s sports, as we know the importance of shining a light on professional women athletes to help inspire today\u2019s and tomorrow\u2019s girls.\u201d<\/p>\n
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