How Sports Can Build Confidence in Girls

Confidence in sports doesn’t always mean being the best player on the court. Sometimes it’s finally trying something you’ve been scared to do, speaking up to a teammate, or realizing that you handled a situation better than you would have a few months ago. I’ve noticed that a lot of confidence in sports comes from small moments like these. For girls especially, having a space where they can take risks, mess up, and try again can give them a chance to become more comfortable trusting themselves.

That confidence can matter outside of sports too. Research on youth crime prevention often looks at “protective factors,” or things in a young person’s life that may lower their risk of violence or delinquency. Youth.gov includes positive social skills and involvement in organized activities among these factors. Sports can give girls both. They have to communicate, make decisions, deal with other personalities, and gradually become more independent. These experiences can also make it easier to speak up for yourself or walk away when you know something isn’t right.

I do not think confidence is something you suddenly gain because you join a team. It builds over time, and every girl’s experience is different. But, I’ve seen how sports can give girls opportunities to find out what they’re capable of. When we talk about using sports as part of crime prevention, I think that piece deserves attention too. Helping girls trust themselves and their decisions is something they can carry far beyond the court.

Sources:

Youth.gov — Risk & Protective Factors

Women’s Sports Foundation — The Healing Power of Sport