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Victoria University research has found when it comes to participation in community sport, girls just want to have fun.

A newly released survey from a research team at the University tracked more than 5,000 females who participated either in community club football or gymnastics around Australia from 2019 to 2021.

About half the survey respondents had stopped participating, and the other half were still involved with their sport.

Significantly, nearly two thirds of those who left reported their main reason for stopping - especially for teenagers - was because they were not having fun. Other major reasons included losing interest, having an unfriendly coach or official, injuries, or feeling too old.

Advising that at a time when community sport clubs were desperate to attract members and keep them, researcher Professor Rochelle Eime said the findings revealed many retention issues, but ones that were easy to fix.

Professor Eime stated “clubs need to ensure what they offer aligns to the reasons girls and women get involved in the first place.

“Most members are not there to enjoy themselves - not to win or get the top award.”

Gymnastics and football were chosen for the study to capture participant views in both a traditionally female sport, and a traditionally male one.

However, Professor Eime sees that the findings could be applied to any sports.

She also identified that the main factor for younger girls aged under 12 dropping out was cost - a decision that would likely be made by parents.

By contrast, for women aged over 18, the main reason was COVID-19. However, not having fun was also a major reason to leave in both cohorts - similar to the teenager group.

Noting that COVID’s devastating impact on community sport memberships in recent years provided real opportunities for a major overhaul of the ways clubs attracted and kept members, Professor Eime added “clubs can focus too much on pennants and medals, yet the research shows players mainly want to have fun, especially at the crucial adolescent stage when we lose so many young women and girls.”

The types of volunteers who tend to get involved in community sport can create club cultures that value winning and competition above everything else, with Professor Eime noting “volunteer groups are often dominated by people who are either very good at the sport, or have children who are.

“They want their child to be the next player for the Matildas and forget about others.”

Professor Eime said the strict, timetabled way community sport is presented hasn’t changed in generations, in contrast to the less organised alternatives girls and women can choose for fun and fitness.

For example, females who join a Pilates class or take dance lessons have more flexibility about when and how often they participate, and a wider choice in skill levels.

The report found community sport clubs could improve membership retention by:

• Developing strategies and programs that focus on fun and enjoyment in the sport
• Ensure training and competitions allow all players to improve their skills, not just elite members
• Assist with costs by re-purposing equipment or uniforms, or offering discounts to volunteers.

Images: Women's football (top, credit: Football Victoria) and Professor Rochelle Eime (below, credit: Victoria University).

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