Role models
Role models can encourage women and girls to play sport and become more physically active.
A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is, or can be, emulated by others, especially by younger people. Dictionary.com, opens in a new tab
Role models, especially when they are the same gender, can encourage women and girls to play sport and become more physically active. They provide evidence that success in an activity is attainable, help counteract negative stereotypes, and represent possible future states. 49
High performance and professional athletes are often highlighted as role models. 50, 51, 52 Research from the Commonwealth Bank that found that 70% of Australians surveyed believed that if there was more women’s sport on TV, more women would continue or take up competitive sport. 53
Other research and evidence emphasise that family members, friends, coaches, and teachers are vital role models for women and girls. 6, 7, 8, 54, 55, 56
Australian female adolescents, girls whose role models played sport, were more physically active than those whose role models did not play sport. 56 Having friends or siblings playing sport is another key reason why girls start and continue playing sport. 5, 8 For women, seeing images and videos of everyday women with a wide range of body shapes getting active, is more motivating than images of fitness influencers. 57
There is no single perfect role model, or type of role model. We can all play a role in helping to make being fit and physically active visible and acceptable for everyone. 119
“And if you can see it, you can be it.”
Billie Jean King, All In: An Autobiography
Resources and reading
- How young girls are being inspired to find themselves through football, opens in a new tab, Suzanne Wrack, The Guardian, (27 April 2021). Debra is Shalukah’s role model through a Football Beyond Borders programme designed to allow girls to ‘own the pitch’. “This is what we do, we literally use the power of football to inspire girls, to get girls talking, to get girls active, to get girls enjoying themselves, making positive relationships. Football at the elite level has moved so far and is so removed from that.”
- #FITSPO a flop at inspiring women to get active: New This Girl Can campaign focuses on the feeling not the scales, opens in a new tab, VicHealth media release, (1 March 2020). While it might be popular on Instagram, new research from health promotion foundation VicHealth has found most Victorian women are turned off exercise by images of taut and toned #FITSPO influencers. Key findings from a survey of over 1000 Victorian women found that: around two-thirds of women (66%) aren’t motivated by #FITSPO images of women on Instagram; over three-quarters of women find seeing women of all different body shapes getting active motivating; a third of women feel bad or inadequate about their own bodies and fitness when they see #FITSPO images on Instagram; and, almost 80% of women want to see more women with a range of body shapes included in physical activity advertising.
- Female sporting role models are more visible than ever, and it's making a difference, opens in a new tab, Richard Hinds, op-ed, ABC Offsiders, (17 February 2020). Outside the mostly individual achievements of tennis stars or Olympic athletes, there has never been a time when so many high profile female sports have made sports editors at least think twice before defaulting to the regular male back page stories plucked from pre-season AFL and NFL training sessions.
- AFLW inspires more women to play Australian Football, opens in a new tab, Roy Morgan, (22 March 2019). Over 550,000 Australian women now play one of the four main football codes. The success of the AFLW in encouraging women and girls to play Australian Football is evident by the growth in female participation in Australian Football over the last year up by 21,000 to 176,000 women.
- We need more female role models in sport to inspire the next generation, opens in a new tab, Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Laura Gubby, Dr Katie Dray and Dr Hayley Mills, Canterbury Christ Church University, (26 June 2018). Academics from Childhood and Education Sciences and Sport and Exercise Science explain why the visibility of women in sport at all levels is essential to inspire females to continue with physical activity.
- Kids across Australia need more female sport role models, opens in a new tab, Commonwealth Bank, (21 January 2018). While interest in women’s sport in Australia is soaring, two thirds of Australians (68 per cent) believe our kids should have more exposure to female sporting role models, new CommBank research reveals.
- Australian kids need active, sporty parents - 2017, Australian Sports Commission, (2017). AusPlay results confirm a high correlation between a parent’s engagement in sport and that of their child, indicating that active parents can be a positive influence on their children. Nearly 90 per cent of kids with at least one parent who plays and volunteers in sport are active in organised sport or physical activity outside school.
- The Power of Role Models, opens in a new tab, Football Federation Australia, from the Women's Football Development Guide, p.36, (May 2016). If a girl has never seen women participating in sport, it will be virtually impossible for her to imagine playing herself. What can you do to raise awareness of female role models?
- Why do girls need athletic role models? , opens in a new tabSIRC Blog, (10 June 2015). When role models are mentioned in sport, the first thing that comes to mind are high profile celebrities. While positive role models can be found in amateur and professional sports, it's the people they see every day that makes the biggest difference.
- Mentoring Program, opens in a new tab, Women Sport Australia, (accessed 14 March 2023). Mentoring is a proven and practical way to encourage the participation and advancement of women in the workforce. The creation of supportive ‘role-model’ based relationships allows a more experienced individual to guide, encourage and support the mentee as she strives to achieve identified aspirations and goals.
- 20x20: If she can't see it, she can't be it, opens in a new tab, Federation of Irish Sport, (accessed 15 March 2023). The 20×20 Campaign ran Oct 2018 to Oct 2020 and while the message lives on, the campaign has come to a close. 20×20 was about creating a cultural shift in our perception of girls and women in sport. By increasing visibility of women’s sport it will become a greater part of who we are and what we follow.
- Final event press release, opens in a new tab, (22 October 2020). Research shows 20×20 has had a strong impact on Irish culture around women in sport – but there’s still more to be done.
- 80%of the population are more of aware of women’s sport since the launch of 20×20.
- 61% are more likely to support women’s sport since the launch of 2020.
- 75% of men say 20×20 changed their mindset positively towards women’s sport.
- 42% of women say they are participating in more sport and physical activity than in 2018 due to awareness of 20×20.
- 50% of the population and 60% of females say they would be more inclined to purchase from brands that support women’s sport.
- Along came a Spider: 20x20 Final Research Results, opens in a new tab, Behaviour and Attitudes, (2020). Very strong improvement in the perception of women's sport in the last two years. While the shift has been across all demographics, it is higher amongst males of all ages and those who are aware of the 20x20 initiative.
- Final event press release, opens in a new tab, (22 October 2020). Research shows 20×20 has had a strong impact on Irish culture around women in sport – but there’s still more to be done.
- State of Play Survey 2022-23, opens in a new tab, Change our Game, Victorian Government, (June 2023). Between October and November 2022, more than 670 Victorians answered questions on a range of topics relating to gender equality in sport, including values and behaviour in community sport, elite sport, sports media and coverage, leadership opportunities and perceptions, and experiences working and volunteering in sport. The State of Play Survey revealed that overall, while there are some positive attitudes towards women and girls in sport and their right to equal opportunities and access, change is still required in terms of underlying attitudes and behaviours. Consistently throughout the survey, men were less likely than women to perceive gender inequality in various aspects of sport. In relation to role models, parents of boys were significantly more likely to say their son had elite athletes they considered as role models compared to parents of girls.
- In the Game: Enabling Muslim girls to play sport and be active, opens in a new tab, Boz, T, Halilovich, H, La Trobe University, GippSport, Victorian Government: Change our Game, (2022). The experiences of Muslim girls and women participating in sport and physical activity are diverse, and can be influenced by a range of factors, including social, cultural, religious and economic factors. This summary outlines key findings from research that examined barriers to participation in sport and physical activity by Muslim girls, and highlights opportunities and solutions to overcoming these barriers. Some of the key barriers and challenges for Muslim girls in playing sport identified through this research included a lack of representation of Muslim women and girls in sport, contributing to the idea that they do not belong.
- Men as Allies: Supporting women and girls in community sport, opens in a new tab, Randle, E., Harris, M, Marshall, S., et al., La Trobe University, GippSport, Victorian Government: Change our Game, (2022). The sporting community is working hard to improve gender equality. Men, because of their power, influence and positions, have an important role as allies in levelling the playing field for women and girls. An ally is any man willing to advocate for, and speak up in support of, women and girls; even though they may personally benefit from existing gender inequality. This research provides practical tools to support men to be allies for gender equality in all aspects of community sport. When men are allies, they will:
- Challenge gender stereotypes and bias within sporting clubs
- Be positive role models for other men and boys
- Help lead change, particularly as men often hold the power, influence and decision making in community sport
- Be trusted messengers around gender equality, including to other men
- Share and strengthen advocacy for gender equality, supporting women who do important work within community clubs.
- Keeping Girls in the Game: Factors that Influence Sport Participation, opens in a new tab, Zarrett, N., Veliz, P.T., and Sabo, D. Women’s Sports Foundation, (2020). This report explores how key characteristics of youth (intrapersonal), their social influences (e.g., interpersonal parent and peer factors), and experiences within the sport setting may vary by gender, age, race/ethnicity, family socioeconomic background, and region. The survey was administered to a nationally representative sample of American boys and girls (N=3,041) between the ages of 7-17 and their parents (N=3,041). Key findings included: Disparities persist; Parents play multiple roles in supporting or hindering their girls' participation in sport; gender stereotypes in sport prevail; importance of role models, "if you can see it, you can be it"; sport can help build positive body image; coaches shape the sport experience; some girls live for competition, and some girls are in it for the fun; cost, transportation, and lack of access keep youth out; maintaining a love of sport (overcoming competing interests) is key to continued participation; and, there is a need to educate parents about the academic benefits of participation.
- Case Study: Measuring the impact of the FA player appearances programme 2015-2016, opens in a new tab, Women in Sport, (2017). This report looks at the impact of elite sport stars on girls. The Football Association (FA) runs an established ambassador programme, enabling female football players to share their stories and inspire at a local level, with female players visiting schools and community groups for a number of years. Key findings reported are that player appearances provide a really positive experience for girls in school and community settings. Additionally, the four key impacts reported were: re-enthusing and validating girls’ participation in football; actively and meaningfully getting across positive life lessons; inspiring girls to believe they can achieve in football; and driving interest in the women’s elite game.
- ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’: Indigenous Australian sportswomen as powerful role models, opens in a new tab, Megan Stronach, Michelle O’Shea, Hazel Maxwell, Sport in Society, Volume 26(6), pp.970-984, (2023). It is generally agreed that sporting role models (SRM) can inspire behaviour and attitude. This paper explores the influence of three contemporary Indigenous Australian sportswomen, and in doing so, their role as SRMs for women and girls. By applying and extending Marianne Meier’s (2015) theoretical lens, the actions, voices and influences of the women are considered. Meier recognizes and describes nine functions of SRMs. The voices of the Indigenous female athletes are portrayed through a media analysis including the athletes’ own social media commentary alongside mainstream media over a four-year period from 2017 to 2021. Examining the Indigenous sportswomen’s SRM status enables a layered and deeper understanding of the unique platform provided by sport, which can serve to strengthen their voices and influence. Indigenous Australian sportswomen are constructed in complex and sometimes contradictory ways, at times portrayed as advocates, deviants, sporting ambassadors, and political activists.
- Kicking goals: Exploring the experiences of girls who play Australian Rules football, opens in a new tab, Paige Kernebone, Amie O’Shea, Alethea Jerebine, et al., Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Volume 33(3), pp.880-890, (July 2022). The results cover four themes: (a) Self-perception—participants presented with positive self-perceptions, (b) Social support—a supportive team and exposure to women playing football, and family support/involvement, were encouraging factors in pathways to playing football, (c) AFLW role models—were positive influences on participants’ experience and self-perceptions and (d) Influence of gender norms/stereotypes—participant self-perceptions displayed conforming and non-conforming features of gender norms/stereotypes. Participants reported exposure to sexist commentary about girls in sport through social media and peers but instead of being discouraged, most used it as motivation or empowerment, while others were dismissive. Findings suggest increased media coverage of AFLW players may be beneficial. Education programs/initiatives which i) involve AFLW role models and ii) encourage family friendly club environments and team bonding spaces are recommended.
- She Needs to See it to be it: The Importance of Same-Gender Athletic Role Models, opens in a new tab, Midgley C, DeBues-Stafford G, Lockwood P, et al., Sex Roles. Volume 85, pp.142-160, (January 2021). In four studies, we examined the importance of gender-matched athletic role models for women. Although both women and men may benefit most from exposure to high profile athletes in their own sport, women may have fewer motivating role models available to them. When asked to nominate examples of athletes, women were less likely than men to list same-gender examples and athletes from their own sport; even high-performing female athletes were less likely to nominate a same-gender role model than their male peers. Women were nevertheless significantly more motivated by the same-gender and sport-matched examples (Studies 1–2). We demonstrate that same-gender role models are particularly valuable for women because they provide evidence that success is attainable, better represent a possible future self, and counteract negative gender stereotypes. Thus, although they derive special benefit from exposure to female athletic superstars, women are less likely than men to find such role models in their own sport of interest and, consequently, may be at a disadvantage relative to men. The present research illustrates the practical value of role models for women, with important implications for media and educational programming.
- The influence of paternal co-participation on girls’ participation in surfing, mountain biking, and skateboarding in regional Australia, opens in a new tab, Meredith Nash, Robyn Moore, Leisure Studies, Volume 40(4), pp.454-467, (2021). This qualitative study explored the facilitators of 27 Australian girls’ participation in surfing, mountain biking and skateboarding. This article focuses on the value of paternal co-participation, which was notable in interviews with girls who surf or mountain bike. In particular, we examine the complexity of the role and influence of fathers in girls’ participation. Reflecting their position in action sports, men often shape how girls access these sports and develop their skills. This points to the importance of men and fathers in facilitating girls’ participation in action sports, and possibly broader physical activity behaviours. However, we argue that merely facilitating their daughters’ participation without addressing the experiences of women without male ‘patrons’ in action sports reinscribes male dominance rather than improving gender equity. This study contributes to established work that aims to inform policies and strategies to encourage greater participation of girls and women in action sports.
- “Dad! Let's go have a hit…”: Sources and types of support in female cricket players, opens in a new tab, John Warmenhoven, Juanita Weissensteiner, Clare MacMahon, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Volume 23(10), pp.991-998, (October 2020). This research showed that: mothers and fathers were primary givers of financial and emotional support (>70% for both parents across the entire cohort); mentors offered meaningful sport specific informational and technical (or coaching related) support; and siblings and peers played integral roles, acting as fellow participants for practice and play. Access to coaching also emerged as a dominant point of difference between community and elite cricket players consistently across all support providers. The father emerged as a dominant provider of support for elite players across five different dimensions of support.
- Where are the Moms? Strategies to Recruit Female Youth-Sport Coaches, opens in a new tab. Keidrich K. Strategies, Volume 33(5), pp.12-17, (Sep/Oct 2020). There are numerous benefits to sport participation among children and adolescents and coaches play a significant role in getting youth, especially girls, involved in sports and continuing participation in sports. Despite the advances of girls and women in sport participation since Title IX, the majority of youth sport coaches are men. Female coaches can be important role models for all youth in sport. The purpose of this article is to describe the benefits of having female coaches and potential strategies to encourage more women to coach.
- Formative research to develop a school-based, community-linked physical activity role model programme for girls: CHoosing Active Role Models to INspire Girls (CHARMING), opens in a new tab, Kelly Morgan, Jordan Van Godwin, Kirsty Darwent, Alison Fildes, BMC Public Health, Volume 19, Article #437, (April 2019). The purpose of the current research was to gather views from preadolescent girls, parents, teachers and stakeholders in order to co-produce a multi-component school-based, community linked PA intervention programme. Girls reported that fun taster sessions delivered by role models would encourage them to participate in a school-based role model programme, with tailored taster sessions each week to enhance continued PA participation.
- The inspirational effect of sporting achievements and potential role models in football: a gender-specific analysis,, opens in a new tab Wicker, P., Frick, B. Managing Sport and Leisure, Volume 21(5), pp.265-282, (December 2016). This study examines the trickle-down effect of potential role models and sporting achievements, respectively. Specifically, it examined the inspirational effect of same-sex and opposite-sex role models on male and female participation in German amateur football. Longitudinal data on German football club memberships and amateur teams were collected for 21 regional football associations over a 15-year-period. The results found that sporting success does not automatically lead to the development of positive role models and inspirational effects.
- Elite footballers as role models: promoting young women’s football participation, opens in a new tab. Dunn, C. Soccer and Society, Volume 17(6), pp.843-856, (2016). Reports the experiences and thoughts of elite female footballers in Great Britain in relation to role models. In particular, it discusses their views on how to encourage young women’s football participation from elite, down to grass-roots levels.
- Role models of Australian female adolescents: A longitudinal study to inform programmes designed to increase physical activity and sport participation, opens in a new tab. Young, J., Symons, C., Pain, M., et. al., European Physical Education Review, Volume 21(4), pp.451-466, (2015). This study examined role models of adolescent girls and their influence on physical activity by surveying 732 girls in Years 7 and 11 from metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions of Victoria, Australia. Survey questions included whether they had a role model and if they did, the gender, age, type and sporting background of that individual. The survey found the majority of participants nominated a family member, peer or celebrity sportsperson as their role model who was female, played sport and was less than 50 years of age. Non-metropolitan-based adolescent girls and year 11 adolescent girls were more likely to select a role model who they knew played sport than metropolitan-based adolescent girls and Year 7 girls respectively. This study highlighted that family members, peers and sportspeople should be included as role models in programmes designed to increase physical activity.
- The value of female sporting role models, opens in a new tab. Meiera, M. Sport in Society, Volume 18(8), pp.968-982, (2015). This article examines the evidence in relation to the value and functions of female sporting role models. Areas discussed include participation, leadership, advocacy, gender stereotypes, inspiration, ethics, safeguarding and prevention, media and business and giving back to sport. The author argues that rather than just increasing female SRMs in numbers, attention should be dedicated to the selection variety that encompasses the functions of role models.
- How I Roll featuring Casey Donovan, opens in a new tab, Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT, YouTube, (14 September 2020). Official Video for HOW I ROLL - the anthem for girls and women in wheelchair sport.
- Play. Sport. Australia. Sporting Heroes, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, YouTube, (2 November 2016). Watch these kids talk about their greatest sporting heroes. Their answers may surprise you.
- Stick with it: Laura Geitz, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, YouTube, (2 May 2016). Sport plays an important role in the lives of teens. Here Laura Geitz talks about what sport meant to her as she went through school.
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