An image of sport for girls that lacks diversity | Letter

Sporting images online fail to represent ethnic-minority women, making it much harder to encourage girls to be active, writes Kate Peers

Your report highlights the life-changing impact of sport for girls (Girls who play after-school sport in UK 50% more likely to later get top jobs, study finds 11 September). But not all girls have equal opportunities, and representation plays a key role: two-thirds of young people say seeing diverse athletes helps them believe sport is for everyone. Yet our study of more than 4,000 online images of sport settings found that of 8,559 women pictured, just 117 were Black or south Asian. Entire communities are missing from view.

If girls don’t see themselves reflected, they are more likely to miss out. And belonging isn’t just about extracurricular sport – it’s about everyday, real ways of moving: kicking a ball in the park, family bike rides or dancing with friends. Every way of moving counts, and it can help girls feel happier, healthier and better prepared for the future.
Kate Peers
Head of campaigns – strategic lead, This Girl Can and Sport England