How sport in Wales is creating better environments for women and girls

Improving understanding of the menstrual cycle

Let’s face it, a few years ago talking about periods was, well, just a bit taboo. Fortunately, things have changed because 46% of women say that periods have had a negative impact on their ability to take part in sport and physical activity (Wales Activity Tracker October 2024). Plus, 8% of girls said they’d do more sport 'if I could manage my period better' (The School Sport Survey 2022).

That’s why Sport Wales has launched a Menstrual Cycle course as well as tips for coaches. It’s helping people like trampolining coach Mark Samuels:

“In the past, I have been guilty of not being as knowledgeable and aware of women’s health as I should have been. The realisation hit me a few years back that this subject should not be off the table due to my own lack of knowledge and insecurities. I took a lot of key learning from the course and it has had a real meaningful impact on my coaching practice, environment and relationship with my athletes.”

Sports kit for women and girls 

According to research by a top hockey player, clothing is a big factor when it comes to teenagers dropping out of sports. The problem? Gendered sports kit like skirts.

The research prompted Hoci Cymru to make some big changes to their kit. Now players can choose whether to wear skorts or shorts. 

The colour of sports clothing is also key. In 2024, Wales’ women’s rugby led the way in tackling period anxiety by switching from white shorts to red. A very simple but brilliant gamechanger that could be adopted for women and girls right across Wales.

Boosting girls’ self confidence in Wales

We know that 31% of girls would do more sport 'if I was more confident'(The School Sport Survey 2022). That’s compared to 17% of boys. Put low confidence together with areas of deprivation and it can be a real challenge to get more girls involved in sport.

But projects like Girls Takeover at Newport Live is tackling the problem head on. For girls aged 11-18, it is raising confidence levels so they feel more comfortable going along to the gym or a fitness class or playing sports like football, netball and badminton.

Lauren Buttigieg from Newport Live said: “We found that a lot of girls love the gym but can be anxious because they don’t know what they’re doing. That’s why at every session, we bring in our gym instructors so they get to know them. Girls have since joined the gym and feel happy to ask the staff questions because they already know them.”

Supporting pregnant women in sport

“Not in your condition”. Sound familiar? Yet in recent years, a number of Welsh athletes have led the way to show that, with the right guidance and support, it is safe to continue exercising and even achieve sporting goals during pregnancy. Plus, organisations are improving how they support pregnant athletes.

Elinor Barker – who has just announced that she’s expecting her second child – won silver at the Tokyo Olympics while pregnant. She has spoken about the positive changes in maternity policies within professional cycling and the improved support for those balancing motherhood and careers. Archer Jodie Grinham also won Paralympic gold while pregnant.

In Wales, rugby star Alisha Joyce-Butchers is currently expecting with wife and teammate, Jasmine. The WRU is not only looking forward to welcoming a new Wales fan but is supporting Alisha with a performance maternity policy. 

Plus, the Sport Wales Institute team is training up in nutritional management in pregnancy so that we can better support pregnant athletes. Members of our Institute team have also completed the Active Pregnancy Foundation’s This Mum Moves (TMM) Ambassador Training to increase their know-how, skills and confidence to discuss physical activity during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Backing female role models

You have to see it to be it. One in four adults in Wales say that watching or attending a women's sport or physical activity event in the past three months has inspired them to be more active. (Wales Activity Tracker, April 2025.)

Which is why we are loving this bumper summer of women’s sport… From Fishlock and co making football history at the Euros to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August, plus top-notch swimming, golf, cricket and tennis, you don’t have to look far for inspiration.

But role models closer to home are just as important. Take Sarah Murray. She discovered a love of cycling later in life and now – as a Breeze Champion – she is encouraging women of all ages in north Wales to get on their bikes. And shifting gears even higher, with the help from Be Active Wales and the National Lottery, she is now growing a community of female road racers. 

Creating safe spaces for diverse women

For some women, being active is more of a challenge for religious and cultural reasons. But in Newport, local charity, KidCare4U, is offering women-only swimming sessions with a helping hand from the Be Active Wales Fund.

All women are welcome yet it’s mainly Muslim women that come, reassured by a safe space with female lifeguards and free of judgement for women who want to cover their arms, legs and heads in a burkini.

Jotsna is Engagement and Partnership Officer for KidCare4U. She explains:

“The reason that the women enjoy the session and keep coming back is because it is full of people from their community. They see familiar faces and they don’t feel judged for wanting to cover up in the pool. For women of an ethnic background, it can take a lot of time to build trust and to integrate.” 

Find out more about the KidCare4U project

You may also like: From isolation to inclusion: how Cardiff Dynamos Badminton Club is helping women overcome cultural and social barriers

How can you play your part in women and girls sport in Wales this summer?

Whether you’re a club or organisation, everyone can play their part.

• Share your stories on social media using the hashtag #SheActiveWales  
• Celebrate inspirational female role models. 
• Encourage your club to apply for funding to improve the experiences of women and girls.