Why Team Sports Can Be Your Daughter's Secret Weapon for Success
As a mum, you're always looking for ways to set your daughter up for success. From picking the best schools to encouraging her passions, every decision matters. But have you considered the game-changing benefits of team sports? New research reveals that participating in sports during school can significantly boost your daughter's future career prospects, and here's why you should care.
A recent study by Maiden, a sports apparel brand, found that 63% of people believe their childhood sports experiences positively impacted their professional lives. Skills like teamwork, competitiveness, respect, and resilience—essential for climbing the career ladder—are all honed on the field or court.
Despite these advantages, many girls drop out of sports early, often due to ill-fitting sportswear that makes them feel self-conscious. A whopping 36% of girls are put off by uncomfortable sportswear, which can lead to them missing out on the vital benefits sports provide.
Suzy Levy, author of Mind the Inclusion Gap and Managing Director at The Red Plate, highlights the issue: "The benefits of keeping young girls in sport last well beyond the team or the trophy. Sport develops skills which last a lifetime."
While Maiden Cricket Clothing, founded by teenage sisters Honor and Cat Black, focuses on cricket, the same principles apply to other sports. Football, netball, hockey, and rugby all offer incredible opportunities for girls to develop critical life skills.
Football teaches teamwork and strategic thinking. Netball enhances quick decision-making and resilience. Hockey emphasises communication and team dynamics, and rugby combines physical fitness with strategic planning. Encouraging your daughter to try different sports can help her find one she loves, ensuring she gains the benefits of participation.
Honor Black, who co-founded Maiden at just 16, explains: "Playing cricket was all I wanted to do at school. It’s a brilliant strategic game and team sport. However, why do girls have to wear ill-fitting kit and feel self-conscious? We created Maiden to show girls that they can look good and play their best in kit tailored for them."
Maiden's mission is broader than just selling sportswear. They're building a supportive community for young female athletes, ensuring they have equal opportunities and recognition. Their Maiden Rising Stars Programme, with over 150 applications already, shows the hunger among girls to excel in sports and beyond.
For the ambitious mums reading this, think about how your own experiences in sports—or the lack thereof—shaped you. Reflect on the resilience, teamwork, and mental toughness sports can teach your daughter, and how these skills can propel her forward in life. Encouraging her to stick with sports could be one of the most empowering decisions you make for her future.
Let's champion our girls in sports, ensuring they have the support and resources to succeed both on the field and in their careers. The confidence and skills they develop through sports are foundational to achieving their fullest potential. After all, every game played today could be shaping the leader of tomorrow.
