WE should all know by now that having a strong role model can be immensely beneficial for young people and in some cases help considerably to shaping the path of their lives.
In sport, a role model is looked up to for many different qualities – leadership, inspiration, achievement, confidence, respectfulness and more, and every young person looks for something different in their own specific role model.
But role models are not necessarily the highly paid elite athletes we read about in the papers. A role model can come from any walk of life. In fact, it is known that the most effective role models are, in most cases, parents and guardians.
If we are trying to get young girls fit, active and healthy, we need to look to their mothers and fathers to set the right tone and lead by example.
READ MORE: Maureen McGonigle: Covid must make us fear for future of participation in sport
It’s quite sobering to read in a report from Women in Sport UK in 2016 that if a girl has not participated in sport by the age of 10, she is only 10% likely to be physically active as an adult. Support from an active adult could help change that statistic.
Learning about women in sport, supporting their local women’s team and watching women’s sport on TV also helps young women feel confident and empowered. This so valuable that it is priceless.
As a role model, you can ensure the barriers that may have stood in your way are removed. You can instil the attitude of “you can do anything” and support them while they achieve.
Rolling out the well-worn, but still loved phrase, “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Mums in particular can change this. All of this can be achieved in an environment of love and understanding with plenty of fun thrown in.
Scottish Women in Sport will celebrate many strong female role models at our virtual awards dinner on November 26. Nominations are open at swisawards.co.uk
Our hope is that the visibility from this will send out a strong message of encouragement to all young women and girls.
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