Coaches are one of the most powerful influencers in a girl’s decision to stay in sport — or to leave it. Research from the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, led by Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi, Director of the Tucker Center, shows that coaching style, culture, and connection can either build a girl’s lifelong love for sport or end it prematurely.
And the stakes are high: by age 14, girls drop out of sport at twice the rate of boys (Women in Sport, 2023). Many of the reasons are preventable — lack of belonging, poor communication, limited leadership opportunities, and environments that undervalue girls’ participation.
The good news? Coaches can develop the tools to change the story. Here are five fundamentals, backed by research and lived experience, that keep girls in the game.
Girls thrive when they feel they are part of something bigger than themselves. The Tucker Team’s research shows that belonging is a prerequisite for retention. Girls are more likely to stay in sport when they feel valued, connected, and supported — regardless of skill level. In one Tucker Center study, “a climate of care” was repeatedly cited as a top factor in positive sport experiences for girls.
From HER Voice:
“When my coach took the time to know me and not just my position, I wanted to come to every practice.” – Athlete, Foundational Module feedback
Belonging fuels confidence, motivation, joy in sport, and it starts with the everyday actions coaches take to show every girl she matters.
Girls value competition but also the process of learning and improving. When coaches prioritize learning and progress instead of just outcomes, they create an environment where girls feel competent and capable, two key drivers of intrinsic motivation. Overemphasis on the scoreboard can discourage those still developing.
From HER Family:
“My daughter used to dread games because she thought she wasn’t good enough. Her coach shifted the focus to her personal improvement — and she’s loving it again.” – Parent, Foundational Module feedback
When girls feel their growth is valued, they stay engaged, motivated, and willing to push their limits no matter the score.
Research has uncovered that low body confidence is the #1 reason girls quit sports (Dove & Nike, 2024). The Tucker Center’s collaboration Body Confident Coaching, shows that focusing on what an athlete’s body can do rather than how it looks leads to better self-esteem and performance.
From HER Coach:
“Shifting the conversation from how athletes look to what they can do has completely changed my team’s energy.” – Coach, Body Confident Coaching feedback
When girls feel comfortable and confident in their bodies, they play with freedom, enjoy sport more and stay in sport longer.
Leadership roles in sport translate into confidence, career success, and community involvement later in life. The Tucker Center’s Research Report (2018) highlights that giving girls agency, such as leading warm-ups, mentoring peers, or contributing to practice plans which builds confidence that translates into education and workplace success. Plus, it sends a clear message: girl’s voices matter
From HER Coach:
“Once my players started leading warm-ups, they took ownership of the whole practice and each other.” – Coach, Foundational Module feedback
When girls lead, they learn to trust themselves and others learn to trust them.
A 12-year-old and an 8-year-old may wear the same uniform, but their physical, emotional, and social needs differ dramatically. Mismatch between training demands and a girl’s physical or cognitive readiness can lead to burnout, injury, and dropout. Developmentally appropriate coaching respects the athlete’s growth stage while still challenging her to improve.
From HER Family:
“When my coach adjusted the drills so my daughter didn’t feel behind, she came home smiling instead of frustrated. That was the turning point.” – Parent, Foundational Module feedback
Matching coaching to a girl’s stage of development ensures challenge without overwhelming them, thereby keeping sport both fun and sustainable.
When girls drop out of sport, we lose future leaders, innovators, and changemakers. The fundamentals above are not just retention strategies, they are investments in the next generation’s confidence, health, and leadership.
Every practice is a chance to show a girl she belongs, she can grow, and she has a future in sport. And when coaches commit to this work, they don’t just keep girls in the game they help shape the leaders of tomorrow