The ‘dream deficit’ – just 29% of girls dream of reaching top of sport

Fewer than a third of girls (29%) dream of reaching the top of sport – compared to more than half of boys (52%).

The finding comes from research by charity, Women in Sport, which tracked how the increased visibility of elite women’s sport over the past three years has inspired girls and young women in England.

It showed that, despite the inspirational performances from the England women’s football team and netball’s Vitality Roses over the past two years, the number of girls who aspire to play elite level sport has declined (by 2%) compared to the same time a year ago (2022).

The research is presented in a new report, titled Daring to Dream – The Gender Dream Deficit in Sport, which also shows how 82% of girls still believe women’s sport isn’t taken as seriously as men’s.

Gender stereotyping also continues to have a significant and negative impact on girls with 35 per cent of girls believing they’re not expected to be good at sport, compared with just 4 per cent of boys.

More than four in ten girls (46%) would like to see an increase in opportunities to try a variety of sports at a young age and more chances to join clubs and teams outside of school (40%).

Girls also cite the need for better sports facilities (46%) and for teachers and coaches to better understand their needs (37%).

What more, 47% of women said a greater diversity of female athletes would encourage them to get more involved in sport.