For the last two weeks, the world has been tuned into the 2024 Paris Olympic games, cheering on athletes in sports previously unknown to us, and connecting us to the world of top-tier athletic competition. In 2028, we’ll probably tune in all all over again.
And in that point, a recent generation of athletes is competing and dealing to succeed in the highest of their respective sport. We assume that it is the same journey to the highest for female and male athletes, nevertheless it’s not all the time.
I recently met Ava, who’s in a Girls’ Brigade group in Portsmouth. She began boxing in a small gym with one coach and five boys, all older than her. Intimidated but undeterred, she threw herself into the game with the support of her father, who trained alongside her. “I boxed for 8 years, ranging from the underside not knowing learn how to throw a punch to eventually being chosen for the England Boxing female Aspire pathway,” Ava said. “I used to be extremely dedicated.”
Despite the challenges of being the one girl and the shortage of female role models, Ava had a passion for the game. “As a female boxer, it was mentally difficult to deal with all of the obstacles,” she said to me. “I wish there have been more opportunities for young girls and the identical hype around female boxing as there may be for male boxing.”
Eventually, Ava decided to stop boxing. “Over all of the years I boxed, persistently I felt let down, like all my labor was wasted. After continually feeling disheartened, I lost all my motivation and fell out of affection with the game.”
Her experience highlights a critical need: providing more support and recognition for female athletes. Sports offer a novel platform for women to challenge themselves, construct resilience, and achieve their dreams. By encouraging them to try recent things and supporting their journeys, we help them develop the arrogance and courage to beat any obstacle.
Consider one other example: a bunch of young girls in Girls’ Brigade in Amesbury who recently sailed a tall ship. This daring expedition pushed them beyond their comfort zones, teaching them invaluable lessons in teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. This journey shows how recent challenges can instil the arrogance and courage needed to face any adversity. It was wonderful to see how the women who were a little bit more shy and a little bit less confident than the others firstly, went on to fly. That new-found confidence has remained with them.
We must break down barriers and supply young girls with the tools they should succeed. Engaging in athletic activities does greater than improve physical health; it builds essential life skills like confidence, resilience, and courage. These attributes are critical for achievement in all areas of life.
I’m not saying we’d like to all train to Olympic levels in our chosen sport. But what I’d wish to see is more organisations giving girls the chance to construct their skills – developing teamwork, concentration, judgement and decision making and to play games that help them learn learn how to win and lose graciously. And to rejoice their very own successes and the successes of those around them!
At Girls’ Brigade, we would like women to be represented equally and fairly in sports – at a neighborhood level and a national level. But we also want young girls to have the prospect to develop the abilities needed to be a well-rounded and gracious athlete.
By investing of their potential and celebrating their achievements, we pave the way in which for a generation of confident, courageous, and successful women. Together, we will create a world where every girl has the chance to shine, each on and off the sphere, track, or anywhere else their activity might take them.
Judith Davey-Cole is the CEO of Girls’ Brigade England & Wales, which works to assist women and girls explore and interact with real life and Christian faith in fun, informative and hopeful ways through community groups, leadership training, retreats, and conferences, each in-person and online.
