CATHY LONG
POLICY
Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Partnerships Women in Sport
Designing spaces for everyone teenagers is a key area of focus for Women in Sport. This is because the vast majority of parks, play
© SHUTTERSTOCK/ILYA ANTROPOV
F
acilities and public spaces for
Facilities need to be designed with both girls and boys in mind
facilities and public spaces for teenagers are currently designed with boys in mind. Local authorities tend to create skateparks, football pitches, BMX tracks and MUGAs; and they’re used almost entirely by boys. The driver for provision is often an anti-crime initiative. Unfortunately, a desire to provide activities that keep boys occupied inadvertently excludes girls. And while the boys are being active, girls are spending time in and around shopping centres. But here’s the thing. The girls aren’t spending money there. They’re
“RESEARCH SO FAR INDICATES THAT GIRLS PREFER OPEN SPACES WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS AND A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES”
just finding a safe space to meet friends. So why aren’t they using sports facilities?
simply walking away. But where facilities
A big reason is simply the way they are
have been co-designed with teenage
designed. Think of a typical MUGA. It’s got
girls, the spaces are radically different and
high fences, with one entrance and exit point
usage by girls increases dramatically.
and a group of teenage boys at the entrance. And now think of being a teenage girl wanting to enter that cage. Girls are
Research so far indicates that girls prefer open spaces with a range of activities available to them. Our work with Yorkshire Sport, for example, asks girls just that: what do they
About Women in Sport The charity Women in
The charity has a track
want in relation to local recreational space? We should all care about this. Making provision for girls is a legal requirement under
Sport was founded in 1984
record of success in
the Equality Act (2010). Local authorities are
and its vision is that no-
securing change, based on
more aware of their obligations than ever
one is excluded from the
its deep understanding of
before, so will be looking to commission
joy, fulfilment and lifelong
the needs and aspirations
projects that help them achieve parity.
benefits of sport and
of women and girls at
More importantly, a failure to cater for
exercise. Recognising that
each life stage and its
girls has an impact on their physical and
gender stereotypes and
determination to break
mental health both now and in later life.
institutional bias are holding
down gender inequalities
women back in life and in
through its work within the
Why? Because Sky Brown is inspiring
sport, the charity’s purpose is
sports sector and beyond.
a new generation. Let’s make sure girls
to give every woman and girl
Find out more about
feel safe and welcomed in our spaces
the opportunity to take part
Women in Sport here:
so they can experience the joy and
and inspire them to do so.
www.womeninsport.org
benefits of healthy outdoor exercise. ●
More girls are now using skateparks.
SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK JAN/FEB 2022
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