Getting girls involved in sports can have long-term physical and mental impacts, keeping them strong, confident, and capable. Park and recreation professionals are a critical part of the movement to transform girls' participation in sports across the country and you can help bridge the gap.
To better understand the hurdles and opportunities for increasing the number of girls involved in youth sports through parks and recreation, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) partnered with Nike to launch extensive research.
The research identified an alarming trend. Girls are not playing sports or staying involved in sports at the same rate as boys.
To support your efforts in helping us Get Her in the Game, NRPA created an Activation Kit with all the resources you need to make a huge impact in expanding youth sports. Here's how you can help Get Her in the Game:
NRPA’s new Get Her In The Game: A Playbook for Parks and Recreation outlines strategies park and recreation agencies can use to expand access to youth sports. Aligned with NRPA’s Youth Sports Framework, the guide highlights five pathways where agencies and their partners can implement promising practices to address gaps to boost participation. Each pathway offers practical, adaptable ideas to meet your community’s unique needs.
Progress doesn’t require sweeping changes; even small, right-sized steps can make a meaningful difference.
Photo credits: Image 1: NAME; Image 2: Hopewell Recreation and Parks; Image 3: Mike Patton, Chicago Park District's Move Like a Girl Fest; Image 4: NAME.
