Olympic Heptathlon Champion Jessica Ennis-Hill today called for more to be done to encourage the nation’s young people, particularly girls, to play sport as a means of boosting their confidence, health and well-being. 

A new YouGov study, commissioned by Sky Academy, shows girls have less confidence than boys in almost all situations, apart from online when using social media. The study, of over 1,600 young people and 600 parents across the country, shows that girls (60%) feel less confident than boys (67%), especially when faced with new and unfamiliar experiences. Independent studies also show only 8% of 13-15 year old girls do the recommended amount of physical activity¹ and that girls’ confidence drops during secondary school, as does their participation in PE and sport, with 43% fewer girls aged 13-15 meeting the minimum requirement for physical activity than boys².

Ennis-Hill was leading a Sky Academy Confidence Day in Sheffield, which aims to develop young people’s confidence through the power of sport. The day is part of Sky Academy’s Confidence Month and is showcasing the Sky Sports Living for Sport initiative that works with sports stars, schools and teachers across the country to build practical skills like teamwork, planning, resilience and communication. Over 300 young people aged 11-18 tried new sporting activities to help build their confidence.

The Youth Sport Trust has also supported the call to get more young people involved in PE, sport and physical activity at Sky Academy Confidence Day event in Sheffield.

Over two thirds (66%) of girls say their confidence is influenced by how attractive or unattractive they feel, compared to just 46% of boys; and over half of girls (51%) say the clothes they wear affects their confidence whilst this impacts only a third of boys (36%). 

Figures also revealed that girls’ confidence is often hit when dealing with new and unfamiliar experiences, as more than half of girls (54%) say they feel unconfident when trying something they have not done before, compared with 41% boys.  61% of girls struggle with confidence when starting a first day at school, college or a job, compared to only 46% of boys.

With both appearance and trying new and unfamiliar experiences impacting girls’ confidence, it is not surprising that girls’ participation in sport falls in their teens with 92% of girls aged 13-15 not meeting the minimum requirements for physical activity compared to 86% of boys³. 

Sky Academy Ambassador, Jessica Ennis-Hill, said:  “Confidence has played a big part in my success as an athlete. The enjoyment, focus and determination sport gave me as a young person was a huge part of developing my confidence and self-belief as I grew up. 

“I am passionate about young people, particularly girls, taking part in sport and I am delighted to be part of Sky Academy’s Confidence Day. Sport can improve health, well-being and confidence while also teaching valuable life skills.” 

Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive, Ali Oliver, commented: “Sport and physical activity improve confidence, increase attainment at school and create healthy habits that last a lifetime.

“This research demonstrates the worrying and stark reality of the issues faced by young people today. Initiatives such as Sky Sports Living For Sport, a programme developed and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, give young people the confidence and belief they need to be more active.

“We are proud to work with and be part of Sky Academy’s Confidence Day, and are delighted to see so many young people enjoying the event.”

Annette Du Bois, child confidence expert, said: “Sport can have huge benefits for girls of all ages, particularly when it comes to improving body confidence, fitness and general well-being. Modern society puts a wide range of pressures on young people to look a certain way and appear confident. However, we know inner confidence is something that a lot of young people struggle with, so encouraging young people to be active, play sport and be part of a team will help their development and build resilience.”   

 ¹Health & Social Care Information Centre (2013) Health Survey for England 2012: Chapter 3, Physical activity in children http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13218/HSE2012-Ch3-Phys-act-child.pdf   

 ²Health & Social Care Information Centre (2013) Health Survey for England 2012: Chapter 3, Physical activity in children http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13218/HSE2012-Ch3-Phys-act-child.pdf   

 ³Health & Social Care Information Centre (2013) Health Survey for England 2012: Chapter 3, Physical activity in children http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB13218/HSE2012-Ch3-Phys-act-child.pdf  

For more information

SkyAcademy@freuds.com

Notes to Editors

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc and detailed two separate polls. Total sample sizes were 1,638 respondents aged 11 to 24 and 677 parents of children aged 11 to 24. 

Fieldwork was undertaken between 17 and 26 July 2015.  The surveys were carried out online.

About Sky Academy’s Confidence Month

Sky Academy uses the power of TV, creativity and sport to provide real experiences for young people to help them build practical skills, experience and confidence.  Sky Academy Confidence Month is supported by a host of ambassadors including Jessica Ennis-Hill, David Beckham, Davina McCall, Thierry Henry, Alfie Deyes, Ella Eyre, Justine Roberts and Melvyn Bragg.  Over the course of the month, the ambassadors are taking part in various Sky Academy initiatives to engage with thousands of young people and share their confidence experiences.  

For more information visit www.sky.com/academy.

About Sky Academy

Sky Academy is a set of initiatives that use the power of TV, creativity and sport to help young people unlock their potential. Sky builds confidence, as well as communication, creativity, resilience, planning and teamwork, in young people through Sky Academy 

There are five initiatives and each one helps build practical skills, experience and confidence: Sky Sports Living for Sport; Sky Academy Skills Studios; Sky Academy Careers Lab; Sky Academy Starting Out and Sky Academy Scholarships - harness Sky’s strengths in media and technology, as well as the passion and expertise of its well-known faces and its people.  They are delivered with support from schools and partners

Since launching in November 2013, Sky Academy has helped over 250,000 young people across the UK and Ireland, with a goal of helping one million by 2020

About Youth Sport Trust

The Youth Sport Trust is an independent charity devoted to changing young people's lives through sport 

Established in 1995, Using the power of PE and sport in an international context, the Youth Sport Trust strives to increase the opportunities that all young people have to learn through PE and sport and to realise their potential in a global society

After participating in Sky Sports Living for Sport, the following impacts were measured by Chrysalis (research conducted 2014 - 2015)

• Six months after taking part 90% of Sky Sports Living for Sport participants were more confident in their skills, while half of young people taking part were confident enough to take up a new hobby.

• “Sky Sports Living for Sport helped me regain my confidence and inspired me to be the best I can be.” (Emma Morgan, Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year for Wales, Pen-Y-Dre High School)