4. Early positive experiences drive\u00a0a\u00a0lifelong\u00a0love for tennis\u00a0<\/p>\n
Developing a love of sport is crucial at an early age.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Girls’ self-belief and enjoyment of sport is\u00a0impacted\u00a0well before their teenage years with many believing by adolescence that they\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0belong in sport.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Our\u00a0research\u00a0supports\u00a0this: girls who start tennis in primary school are far more likely to love the sport, and those who start before age\u00a0seven\u00a0are\u00a0twice as likely\u00a0to be playing as adults\u00a0<\/p>\n
Women in Sport\u2019s research with primary school girls shows that there are two key areas we must address, the\u00a0right\u202fenvironment\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0right\u202fskills\u202fto give all girls a strong, positive, start point with sport.\u00a0Parents\u00a0have a\u00a0significant influence\u00a0on both.\u00a0<\/p>\n
5. Creating the right environment for girls\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Girls benefit just as much as boys from rough and tumble play in early childhood, but they are often given fewer opportunities due to adult caution and gender stereotypes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This can limit girls\u2019 physical confidence, resilience, and enjoyment of movement from\u00a0a young age.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
When girls are not held back, they are just as capable of being strong, adventurous, and confident in sport. Encouraging girls to take risks, play freely, and try a wide range of sports helps build skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
6. Focusing\u00a0on the process, not the outcome\u00a0<\/p>\n
The idea of\u00a0\u201cgetting it right\u201d in tennis,\u00a0compounded by having less developed fundamental movement skills,\u00a0means girls can feel immense pressure to\u202fdo\u202fwell even at\u00a0a young age.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
To help girls feel encouraged and supported from an early age, focus\u00a0on and providing feedback or praise on the process\u00a0(the how),\u00a0will help\u00a0them improve and develop skills.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Modifying\u00a0activities\u00a0with girls to ensure the process becomes the outcome can help build confidence and competence early on in a player\u2019s development.\u202fYou can do this by:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Engaging in\u00a0activities that set girls up for success and\u00a0provide\u00a0the\u202fbest\u202fopportunities to progress\u00a0
\nFocusing on progression and personal achievement, being ‘their best’ not ‘the best’\u00a0
\nSurrounding\u00a0girls with the expectation that they will succeed\u00a0<\/p>\n
Share with your venue<\/p>\n
Want to help more parents understand the ways they can support girls in tennis? We’ve created a free downloadable poster for tennis venues with expert tips and guidance.<\/p>\n