Suncorp Research
11 September 2020
Over a quarter of teen girls at risk of not returning to team sport: new research
Suncorp has released new research, finding more than a quarter of Australia’s teen girls are at risk of not returning to play team sport, following time away from the game due to nationwide lockdowns.
The research revealed one in four have simply lost interest, with more than half (60 per cent) reporting ‘nothing can be done’ to make them look forward to participating in team sports again.
The national survey of over 1000 Australian teenagers* conducted as part of the Suncorp Team Girls initiative, also revealed that team sports was primarily replaced with ‘screen time’ (91 per cent) including 63 per cent spending more time on social media during social restrictions, with as many as two-thirds (67 per cent) of Australian girls admitting to being less active during lockdowns, compared to the same time last year.
However encouragingly, more than eight in ten (86 per cent) of young Australian women do recognise numerous benefits of team sports participation, with almost half (47 per cent) reporting it increases their confidence, and more than six in ten (64 per cent) feeling happier when they play. Of those that have missed playing team sports (85 per cent), ‘playing with friends and team-mates’ is what they miss the most, followed by almost two-thirds (63 per cent) missing the physical activity.
Australian Diamonds netball player Gretel Bueta said the findings highlight the vital importance of encouraging the nation’s young women to stay in the game. “What is so interesting about Suncorp’s latest research is that despite young women being at risk of leaving their chosen team sport, they clearly recognise the positive impact it can have on their lives. Speaking from experience, I know the wins are just as important as the losses to build that inner grit we need to handle life.
“We, as role models, family members and friends, have the chance to remind these same girls why getting back into the game can help nurture skills such as perseverance, resilience and confidence. I encourage Australia to come together at this essential moment to ensure we don’t lose young women from team sport.”
The benefits of sports are widely recognised to have lifetime impacts, as sport is felt to build fundamental life skills like team building, leadership and resilience. The findings follow on from Suncorp’s ‘2019 Youth Confidence Report’, which found a direct link for girls of all ages between being confident and achieving success in a range of life dimensions, including their work and social lives.
*This research study was conducted by YouGov Plc. with a sample of 1,007 Australian girls aged 11-17 years. Fieldwork was conducted online from the 6-13 July 2020. The figures have been weighted by age and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates.