Share:
September 27, 2024
Earlier this month, the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) released a study that “proves youth sports fuels women’s leadership.” Titled ‘Play to Lead: The Generational Impact of Sport on Women’s Leadership,’ it is described as the “first of its kind” report to survey seven generations of women in their 20’s and up to their 80’s to explore the effects of policy-driven changes on girls and women in and outside of the sports sector.
Play to Lead details the cross-generational impact youth sports participation has had on fostering a leadership pipeline. It dives into the barriers to sports participation across the decades and also promotes action. Off the back of the report, WSF launched the #PlayToLead social media campaign using the findings to educate the public on the importance of prioritizing youth sports participation.
Throughout the WSF’s 50-year history, its research has shown that girls do not need to play at an elite level of sports to reap resulting leadership benefits. This study highlights sport’s potential in fostering gender equity in leadership by studying the skills that emerge from participation and how they translate into adulthood. Additionally, it share insights and actionable recommendations on how to empower girls on the playing field to help them go on to lead in their communities, schools and future workplaces.
Key findings show that the top skills learned through sports are teamwork (73%), learning from mistakes (53%), handling pressure (51%) and pushing physical boundaries (46%). Additionally, 67% of women believe they have carried the skills and lessons from sports into adulthood. The findings also revealed that the longer girls play sports, the more likely they are to hold formal leadership roles and titles like Manager, Director, President or C-suite Executive, which 71% of the respondents held.
“Play to Lead is more than just a research report, it is a call to action for everyone throughout society to invest in girls’ youth sports programs,” said WSF CEO Danette Leighton. “It illuminates why sports are not a nice-to-have but a must-have for all girls, showcasing what can be achieved when they truly have equitable access and opportunity to play at the youth level.”
The social media campaign, developed with Vanguard Maven Group, uses educational videos and interactive posts to raise awareness about how youth sports are fostering a strong leadership pipeline. The campaign is inviting women of all ages to share their personal stories about how sports have empowered them to lead in all aspects of life.
Play to Lead is supported by investment management company, Earlystone, and financial services corporation, American Express. American Express’s funding will support WSF’s ongoing work to create a future where girls can play, compete, and lead—on and off the field—without barriers.
Share:
