How To Boost Your Girl’s Confidence by Introducing Her to Sports

JANUARY 18th, 2023

Does your girl struggle to make friends, speak up, or generally lack confidence?

If so, consider introducing her to sports. Over 50% of parents say their daughter plays sports to become more confident. But the benefits of kids playing sports are not just good for self-esteem; they also help girls stay in school longer and embrace teamwork in their future careers.

The best thing? Sports are fun. And tons of girls know it, with 61% saying they enjoyed playing sports to make new friends or spend time with their besties.

So let’s discover what sports can do for your girl.

We’ll reveal how to introduce her to girls' sports (even when she’s a little older or reluctant), what sports to try by season, and share strategies to get her excited and willing to give sports a try.

Why are Sports Good for Girls?

“Girls playing sports is not about winning gold medals. It’s about self-esteem, learning to compete, and learning how hard you have to work to achieve your goals.” Jackie Joyner-Kersee – Olympic gold medal winner

Research shows playing sports can increase confidence, self-esteem, and lower levels of depression. They'll have a more positive body image and experience increased psychological well-being than those who don't. Moving into puberty, girls who play sports have a distinct advantage over their peers. Female athletes spend less time on social media than their peers, have a lower risk of obesity and osteoporosis, and may enjoy lighter and more regular periods with less cramping and discomfort.

Wait, there’s more.

Over 80% of female executives participated in organized sports after elementary school. Teen pregnancies were less common in female athletes, and they are more likely to have higher grades than non-athletes. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, sports are where boys have traditionally learned how to:

Work in teams
Embrace learning new things
Be confident even if scared

When to Introduce Girls to Sports?

Most experts recommend starting between ages 6-9, as girls will have developed adequate coordination, vision, physical strength, balance, and agility. But if your girl is 11+ and has never played before, follow The Women’s Sports Foundation’s advice and build up to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activities into your day before joining organized sports.

Moderate activities: Hiking, shooting baskets, trampoline jumping, swimming, cycling, playground workout, sack races, kicking a ball, rock climbing, or dancing.
Intense activities: Running, climbing stairs, soccer, skipping, swimming laps, aerobics, jumping rope, ice hockey, and jumping jacks.

9 Ways To Make Sports Fun (Even for Reluctant Athletes)

Figure out which sports your daughter is naturally drawn to or curious about, then see if they’re available in your area.
Recruit a friend! She might feel more comfortable diving into something new if she’s doing it with a friend.
Watch sports together. Go to high school matches and watch sporting events (such as girls’ athletics) on tv.
Find books and movies about sports or famous female athletes to inspire her.
Be a role model. Make time to enjoy walks, hikes, or cycling trips together.
Get dads involved. Research shows fathers support sons more than daughters in sports.
If your girl is reluctant, she may dislike the idea of competition. Watch the late Kobe Bryant on how to make sports fun.
Switch up activities to stave off boredom.

Sports for by Season

Here are some of the best sports for girls:

Spring

• Softball & Baseball
Age: 5+
Look for: Local leagues and travel teams.

• Track and field
Age: 8+
Look for: Local clubs or girls-only groups like Girls On The Run.
Note: This can be a good choice for reluctant athletes since it’s no-contact, and anyone can run.

• Archery (Spring-Fall)
Age: 8+
Look for: Kids classes in your area, or experiment through Girls Scouts.

Summer

• Swimming
Age: Any
Look for: Lessons at local pools and competitive leagues.
Note: This can be a good option for reluctant athletes, as all kids love the water.

• Tennis
Age: 5+
Look for: Lessons at local courts or clubs.

• Volleyball
Age: 8+-10
Look for: Volleyball summer camps or local leagues and clubs.

• Golf
Age: 5+
Look for: Lessons at local golf courses.

• Flag Football
Age: 6+
Look for: Local leagues.

• Surfing
Age: 5+
Look for: Summer camps and lessons at surf spots.

Fall

• Soccer
Age: 4+
Look for: City leagues and introductory classes.

• Cross-country
Age: 8+
Look for: Local clubs or girls-only groups like Girls On The Run.
Note: This can be a good choice for reluctant athletes since it’s no-contact, and anyone can run.

• Hockey
Age: 5+
Look for: Local leagues or lessons at ice rinks.

Winter

• Basketball
Age: 6+
Look for: Local leagues and rec classes.

• Snowboarding
Age: 5+
Look for: Lessons at ski mountains.

• Downhill Skiing
Age: 5+
Look for: Lessons at ski mountains.

• Nordic Skiing
Age: 3+
Look for: Lessons at cross-country ski centers.

• Lacrosse
Age: 6+
Look for: Local leagues.

• Ice Skating
Age: 3+
Look for: Classes or individual coaching at ice rinks.

• Water Polo
Age: 9+
Look for: Local leagues and classes.

Year-Round

• Indoor rock-climbing
Age: 4+
Look for: Classes at local gyms.

• Gymnastics
Age: 4+
Look for: Classes at local gyms.
Note: This can be a good choice for reluctant athletes as it’s no-contact.

• Dance
Age: 3+
Look for: Classes at local studios or rec centers.
Note: This can be a good choice for reluctant athletes as it’s no-contact.

• Cycling & Mountain Biking
Age: 4+
Look for: Summer camps and local groups.
Note: This can be a good choice for reluctant athletes as it’s no-contact.

If your girl is a reluctant athlete, try a new approach to introducing sports. Think outside the box, start slow, or start together. She may find that she actually loves getting her heart rate up and will quickly reap the benefits of playing sports.