As we enjoy all that the Olympic Games offers the world over the next month, it’s a good time to reflect on why KRB Secondary students are required to play sport as part of our Ignite Co-Curricular Program. The benefits of activity for teenage girls are well researched, and a healthy balance through teenage years sets good patterns for life.

Recent research published by Women in Sport found a strong correlation between the skills and athletic participation of women and the development of leadership skills. Research indicates that female executives are more likely to have been involved in sports compared to their counterparts in non-leadership roles. This trend extends to hiring practices as well, with these executives more inclined to recruit other women with a sports background.

A staggering 74 percent of female executives believe that sports participation can propel a woman’s career trajectory forward. The top three leadership skills honed on the field or court include seeing projects through to completion, motivational abilities, and team-building prowess. These aren’t just soft skills; they’re essential competencies for any successful leader.

Moreover, 52 percent of chief executives have played sports at a university level or higher, underscoring the potential impact of sports on career advancement.

Reminding our girls that excellence is an attitude, not a skill, and stressing to them that benefits such as learning to work with others, managing the times when they fail and succeed, learning to organise time and equipment and balance commitments are all a part of playing sport, is so important. The sense of belonging to a group or team and sharing experiences provides some of the most formative and joyous moments in a young person’s life.

Girls who play sports are more likely to become women who lead. As we strive for greater gender equality and diversity in the workplace, supporting young girls in sports can be a game-changer, paving the way for the next generation of female leaders. Not every girl will be an Olympian — but I encourage our girls to take the opportunity that sport provides and embrace the life lessons it delivers.

Erica Thomas
Principal

Reference article: https://womeninsport.org/