Why Girls Stop Playing Sports at a Young Age
March 31, 2025
It’s no secret that many girls stop playing sports when they’re young, and the gap between boys and girls in sports still exists. Even though there’s been more effort to close this gap, a few big reasons are holding girls back from staying in the game.
One major issue is the lack of female coaches. Only 27% of youth sports coaches are women, which means there aren’t many female role models for young girls. Without seeing other women in leadership positions, girls might feel like sports aren’t for them. At Chelsea Piers, we are proud to say that 46% of our coaches are women, positively leading the future for our female athletes.
Another big challenge is exclusion. A lot of girls feel left out, and that can really affect their confidence. In fact, 57% of parents say their daughters have felt excluded from sports at some point. When girls don’t feel like they belong, they’re less likely to keep playing.
Girls also have fewer chances to play than boys. Only 49% of girls between the ages of 5-11 are involved in team sports. Without enough opportunities or support, it’s harder for them to develop an interest in sports that sticks. Plus, girls have 1.3 million fewer spots in high school sports than boys. But there’s good news – more girls are getting interested in sports, with participation rising, and the gap between boys and girls is starting to shrink.
While boys' participation in sports is dropping, girls are showing more interest than ever. But to keep that going, we need to provide more opportunities, create inclusive spaces, and make sure women athletes are celebrated at all levels. The future of girls in sports depends on making these changes now so every girl can succeed.
Here at Chelsea Piers New York, Connecticut, and Brooklyn, we are working to close the gender gap in sports. We offer programs inclusive to girls, helping them get involved at every stage of their journey, whether they’re just starting or already competitive athletes.
Chelsea Piers has over 10 sports programs for high school girls, from basketball and gymnastics to volleyball and ice hockey. These programs help build skills, confidence, and make sports fun for girls at all experience levels. Chelsea Piers also offers several competitive teams, where girls can push themselves to new heights and feel a sense of community and support.
By supporting girls all the way from beginners to top athletes, Chelsea Piers is helping girls feel like they belong and giving them role models and opportunities to succeed.
