Canadian Girls’ Sport Participation on the Rise but Still Lags Behind Boys, According to New Research
Canadian Women & Sport Unveils 2024 Rally Report: A Call to Redesign Sport So All Girls Can Play
Toronto, ON (November 18, 2024) – While strides continue to be made in advancing girls’ participation in sports, a new report from Canadian Women & Sport reveals that over one million Canadian girls are still missing out on the benefits of sport, with participation levels continuing to trail behind those of boys.
Rally Report: A Call to Reimagine Sport So All Girls Can Play released today, in partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and global insight consultancy IMI Consulting, offers new insights into the experiences of girls aged 6 to 18. Based on a study involving more than 5,000 Canadians – including 2,000 girls and women respondents – Rally Report highlights both the progress and persistent challenges in girls’ participation in sport across Canada along with the need for a system redesign that places girls at the centre.
Overall, Rally Report shows an increase in girls’ sport participation rates, with 63% of girls now playing organized sports weekly, compared to 68% of boys. Despite this, nearly four in ten girls are still missing out on the benefits of sport, a number that rises to five in ten by age 16. Girls from lower-income households of all racial backgrounds are less likely to participate, particularly when they also have a disability.
“While we celebrate the progress we’ve made in getting more girls active in sport, it’s clear that we still have more work to do. The findings of the latest Rally Report are a call to action for leaders at all levels to reimagine sport for girls, ensuring it’s inclusive, supportive, and designed with their unique needs in mind.”
Allison Sandmeyer-Graves
CEO, Canadian Women & Sport
“At Jumpstart, we are dedicated to advancing the participation of girls and young women in sports across Canada. The findings of Rally Report not only reinforce our understanding of the need and opportunity in this space but will also help inform the direction of Jumpstart programming and partnerships as we continue to build a safe, welcoming and accessible sports landscape for all girls.”
Marco Di Buono
President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities