Young girls encouraged to keep playing sport
WANDERERS – Young girls were encouraged to be confident and continue playing, no matter what, in a panel discussion held recently.
How many times have we heard comments like ‘girls shouldn’t play that sport’ or have seen girls’ teams playing in half-filled arenas
This was one of the opening statements from Kass Naidoo, South Africa’s first female cricket commentator, as she led a panel discussion about girls in sport and the Always campaign #LikeAGirl at the Wanderers Club recently.
Panellists included the likes of Motshidisi Mohono, SuperSport presenter and advocate for the Always #LikeAGirl campaign; Cindy Poluta, sports anchor for Talk Radio 702 and 94.7; Lebo Motsoeli, SABC sports and Radio2000 sports personality; and Dr Kirsten van Heerden, a sport and clinical psychologist.
“As someone who’s been involved in the sports industry for a long time – I was part of the SA swimming team and know first-hand some of the challenges of being a female athlete. I know how important sports participation can be in helping girls build the confidence and skills that will serve them throughout life,” commented Van Heerden.
She added that it is her hope that this video will spark a conversation and inspire girls to keep playing sport.
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Data from the Always Confidence and Puberty Survey showed that by the end of puberty, half the girls surveyed (51 percent) will have quit sports.
The survey also found that girls reported that three of the top benefits of staying in sports are increased confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. However, despite the known benefits, girls still report that they don’t feel like they belong in sports. Further, 67 percent of girls feel that society does not encourage them to play sports.
The panellists shared their experiences of being a woman and part of sport in South Africa. Each of them stressed the importance of young girls building each other up and the importance of being confident.
Poluta said women should remember that strong, powerful women will not put other women down, and women need to be cheerleaders for one another.
Mohono added, “Confidence is a girl’s best friend, because when you have it, you feel like you can conquer the world. I have always wanted to work on something that would inspire young women and girls to be the best that they can be. I, too, was that girl once dealing with insecurities that came with puberty and watching my confidence in myself and my abilities diminish.”
The Always #LikeAGirl campaign, launched in June 2014, was inspired by the insight that the start of puberty and the first period mark the lowest moment in confidence for girls.
