As Brisbane 2032 gets closer, Australian girls are quitting organised sports. What can be done?
Girls who are 15 now will be about 21 when Brisbane 2032 rolls around. But many will have walked away from sports by then.
Only six years remain until Brisbane will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a multi-billion dollar investment. Yet, Australian girls and women are dropping out of organised sports at concerning rates, particularly between the ages of 14 and 15. These female athletes, who will be 20 or 21 when the Brisbane games commence, are leaving sports for a variety of reasons. The question remains, what is causing this exodus and how can we reverse it?
Research has shown that nearly two-thirds of Australian girls quit sports by the age of 15, compared to just under half of Australian boys. A more recent study of Victorian girls and women found that 55% of those aged 4 to 14 dropped out and never returned. The Australian Sport Commission's 2025 research indicates that girls aged 15 and older are the third least likely group to participate in organised sport, trailing those over 18 with disabilities or those with caregiving responsibilities.
Australia's sporting landscape is evolving, with informal and casual sports such as walking and gym workouts gaining popularity. However, organised sports numbers are either stagnant or slowly declining. While the Brisbane games present a significant investment, the vision extends beyond just venues and medals, aiming for inclusion and participation. Organisers have committed to a participation legacy, hoping to keep girls engaged in sport.
Despite this, many girls report lacking role models, not feeling a sense of belonging, and struggling with body image and gender stereotypes. These issues, coupled with the fact that women face three times more online abuse than men, create a challenging environment. The lack of attention and investment in retention strategies is alarming, with only five worldwide studies offering meaningful data on keeping girls and women involved in sports.
Efforts are underway, with the Australian Sports Commission striving to make sports more welcoming and enjoyable for girls and women. However, more needs to be done to ensure women's representation in coaching, officiating, and administration roles. The Australian government's Play Our Way program aims to address these issues, promoting better representation of women in all aspects of organised sport.
Australia's recent success at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, with 171 medals, 70 of them gold, demonstrates a healthy pipeline at the elite level, particularly after increased investment in women's sports. The government is also working on professionalising women's sport and ensuring equal pay. However, the success of these initiatives hinges on better understanding and addressing the challenges girls face when entering and staying in organised sport.
Without significant improvements, many talented girls may drop out before they have a chance to reach their full potential.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
