England Netball partner with Women in Sport for research on Black British girls’ experience in sport

England Netball is one of eight governing bodies who have recently partnered with charity organisation Women in Sport and research agency Humankind to launch a study exploring the needs and experiences of Black British girls in sport.

The other bodies involved are British Cycling, British Rowing, England Hockey, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Football Association (FA), the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), and the Rugby Football Union (RFU), and along with Women in Sport and Humankind they will be looking into a significant disconnect in Black girls’ relationships and experiences with recreational sport.

Only 35 per cent of Black British teenage girls meet the national recommended levels of physical activity, but at the same time they report the most positive attitudes towards sport of all ethnic groups in terms of enjoyment and confidence while taking part.

Women in Sport’s Dream Deficit research has found that 62 per cent of Black British girls dream of reaching the top level in sport, compared to 24 per cent of White British girls, but despite this level of ambition, Black girls are among the least active groups.

Women in Sport wants to bridge this gap by building insights into the experiences of Black British teenage girls when it comes to sport, with a commitment to addressing disparities and tackling inequalities.

Tessa Sanderson CBE, a Women in Sport ambassador and the first Black British woman to win an Olympic gold medal, triumphing in the javelin at Los Angeles in 1984, said: “I’m so delighted this research is underway. Black girls face such a lot of extra barriers in their lives and sport can unlock so much.

“Not everyone will get to the Olympics, but it helps with our academic work, it’s good for our mental health and it teaches us how to be resilient. These are all skills Black girls need and they deserve the opportunity to build; and what’s more, they want to; they’re just not getting the right chances.”

The new research will explore the needs and aspirations of Black teenage girls in the UK, as well as the challenges they face, and examine socio-cultural factors that shape their relationship with sport and physical activity.

Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Women in Sport CEO, said: “It is brilliant that Black British girls have a passion for sport and a belief in their ability to succeed. It is simply wrong that so few Black girls are getting the chance to take part and we can’t turn a blind eye.

“We were delighted by the response of our sports partners when we sought their support for this research. We know they are committed to listening to the voices of Black girls to help to drive meaningful change in the system.”

The findings of the research are scheduled to be published in the spring of 2025.

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62
The percentage of Black British girls that dream of reaching the top level of their chosen sport.

5%
How many Black British girls reported no access to outdoor spaces for exercise/play.

26
The percentage of Black British girls who reported the lowest level of life satisfaction, significantly lower than their White and Asian counterparts.

31
The percentage of Black British girls that feel that sport lacks relevance to their wider lives, almost one third.

53
The percentage of Black teenage girls who were sporty in primary school but have since stopped taking part in sport.