More than 1.3 million teenage girls in the UK who once considered themselves “sporty” disengage from sport after primary school, according to Women in Sport. AdvertisementResearch from the Youth Sport Trust also found enjoyment of PE dropped from 86% among girls aged seven to eight to just 56% by ages 14 to 15. GDST is now calling for a rethink on how girls’ sport is viewed, arguing that staying involved in sport helps develop confidence, resilience and leadership skills. Treat confidence dips ‘like growth spurts’Adolescence is one of the biggest turning points for girls’ confidence, with concerns around body image, peer judgement and social comparison becoming more pronounced. Experts stress sport is one of the most powerful leadership activities girls will experience.