Ten Olympic athletes on why young girls should stick with their sport
Rhasidat Adeleke, Sharlene Mawdsley, Michaela Walsh and more incredibly inspiring Irish Olympians share some words of wisdom for young women and girls hoping to pursue a career as an athlete.
Over the last couple of years, we’ve had the pleasure and privilege of spotlighting just a fraction of the vast wealth of female sporting talent across a wide range of fields and disciplines through our Women in Sport series. From Olympic athletes to local club players, we’re gaining new perspectives and insights from these trailblazers, and they continue to inspire us daily.
While each athlete we’ve had the opportunity to feature is different, bringing with them a different viewpoint and understanding of their sport, there are many throughlines that have emerged in conversations surrounding the stigma associated with being a woman in sport, and the importance of finding a sporting outlet that works for you and sticking with it.
The sad truth is that the drop-off rate for young women and teenage girls participating in sport remains a cause for concern. Last year, Sporting Ireland released research on children’s participation in sport, which revealed that sport dropout rates among post-primary girls have worsened, and the gender gap in adult sports remains at 5%.
It found that around 30% fewer girls are involved in sports at secondary school level than in primary school, which is quite the shocking statistic. A number of factors are at play here, including increased responsibilities at home, body image, and a lack of confidence that comes along with puberty. As young girls enter adolescence, it can be a difficult time to feel at home inside their changing bodies, but access plays a role here, too.
There’s a vast variety of different sports to get involved in, ranging from Gaelic football and camogie at a local level, or athletics, boxing, swimming, show jumping and gymnastics — the list goes on. Whether it’s to pass on to your daughter or take on board yourself, we asked Olympic athletes competing at the highest level of their sports for their two cents, to share their message for young women and girls interested in pursuing a career as an athlete. Their answers certainly didn’t disappoint.
Try out lots of different sports! Once you find the sport you enjoy the most, focus on doing your best, believing in yourself and enjoying the process.
Just go for it! You will never know if you never try. Little did I know all those years ago when I started boxing that I was going to be an Olympian, and now I’m so proud I did. Anything is possible and it’s never too late to start and most importantly never give up on your dreams!
— Irish Olympic boxer Daina Moorehouse
Enjoy the process and don’t get caught up in the results. I was never particularly good growing up. When I won my first medal at the community games, I didn’t win another for years after. I never looked at being an athlete as a career when I was younger; but because I loved it, I stuck with it and it brought me some of the best moments of my life.
— Olympic athlete Sharlene Mawdsley
I have so many things to say about young women and girls interested in becoming athletes but I’ll keep it brief! A career in sport has so much to give, it isn’t always easy but there’s always benefits. It takes a lot of dedication and commitment, there’ll be times you want to quit or times where you miss out on life moments and events, but it will pay off. What you put in is what you get out of it! Try multiple sports and events, you’ll be surprised at what you’re good at! Remember that everyone develops differently, just because you mightn’t see immediate results doesn’t mean you’re not improving. The connections you will make are second to none so take advantage of it! Sport brings people together from all walks of life, some of these people can be potential friends, employers or even life partners. Lastly, be patient! Being successful in a sport is a fluctuating process.
—Track and field athlete Rhasidat Adeleke
Sport has brought me happiness and has taught me so much about life, and I would love for each girl to experience the same. I would encourage trying out a variety of sports until you find a sport that you love, and to explore the numerous opportunities available through sport. I would urge them not to be disheartened or put off by setbacks, and the negative attitudes of others. Most importantly – have fun!
You can be whatever you want to be – let no one tell you that you can’t! It is actually a possibility now. If you look at any sport there are just as many opportunities for girls now.
When you’re young, I think it is so important to try out lots of different sports and even when you choose one, never limit your possibilities for what you could do. Loving what you do is the most important part, making sure you are enjoying the journey and taking in all the amazing opportunities sport can give you.
—Olympic swimmer Mona McSharry
With hard work and discipline, anything is possible. The only boundaries are the ones you place on yourself.
—Olympian in 800m Athletics, Louise Shanahan
Dream big and work hard, sport can bring so many wonderful things to your life.
Just go for it, if it is something you enjoy and it brings you happiness then go for it. You meet so many great people along the way and get to make memories for life.
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