sporting chance
Inspiring British women athletes are encouraging huge numbers of girls to take up sport, research finds
INSPIRING British female athletes have encouraged more than half of girls in Britain to take up sport.
Some 60 per cent of girls aged between 11 and 17 said that they believed an inspirational role model to be the best way to get started in sport, a survey shows.
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British women athletes such as Emily Raducanu or the Lionesses, England's national female football team, have given girls across the country the push they need to get started.
Of the girls polled who had played football, a third said that it was inspirational moments such as watching the Lionesses play that encouraged them to start.
The Lionesses are currently playing in the UEFA Women's tournament and, five years since the tournament was last held, the team is having a roaring success.
With tickets sold out for their group games the team's popularity has soared.
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Nearly half of the girls polled said they planned to watch the team in this highly anticipated tornament.
Tennis is also growing in popularity with young girls in Britain, with a third having played the sport.
Of those who have played tennis, a third said that they were inspired by Emily Raducanu's increadible successes on the court.
However, the study also reveals some of the barriers facing women in sports.
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Almost half believe that there are barriers stopping women from pursuing a career in sport, with 40 per cent claiming that there is a lack of information about where girls can play.
Karen Carney, who amassed 144 caps for the Lionesses, said "Female sport has been through massive growth in the last few years".
"This summer's tournament provides the perfect platform to inspire a next generation."
Peter Robb of Continental Tires, an official sponsor of the Lionesses who funded the study, said "We’re proud to be a part of the Lionesses’ journey, both on the pitch and as they inspire the next generation."
To learn more about Continental Tyres’ support of the Lionesses, visit .
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