Half of teenage girls give up sport at 16 - here's 10 reasons why

Sweet 16 spells the end of their sporting days for more than half of teenage girls, a study has found.
Ladies' football is thriving - but more than half of girls say they gave up sport at 16.Ladies' football is thriving - but more than half of girls say they gave up sport at 16.
Ladies' football is thriving - but more than half of girls say they gave up sport at 16.

Losing interest, a lack of time and feeling like they weren't good enough means 53 per cent of girls give up sport once they finish school and compulsory PE lessons.

Others don't continue into adulthood because they had little or no encouragement from others, want to focus on other things, or because their friends give up as well.

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The study of 1,000 girls aged 16-24 was commissioned by feminine care brand Always to launch its #LikeAGirl campaign.

It also found that while 88 per cent believe society encourages boys and men to take part in sport, just 35 per cent believe the same is true of girls and women.

Here's the Top 10 reasons girls gave for stopping playing sports

1. I lost interest or no longer found it fun

2. A lack of time

3. I become more self-conscious of my body

4. I needed more focus on my school or job

5. I wanted to focus on other things

6. I lacked the confidence that I could succeed at sports

7. I wasn't good enough

8. A lack of encouragement

9. It couldn't be a career/profession for me

10. My friends quit playing