Puberty, Confidence and Girls in Sport

For many girls, sport starts as something they love.

Running around, being part of a team, playing without thinking twice.

But as they get older, something changes.

And often, it's not talked about enough.

What Happens During Puberty

Puberty affects girls in ways that go far beyond physical changes.

It can bring:

• Feeling self-conscious about their body
• Worrying about how they look while playing
• Thinking about things they never had to before

Things like:

• Wearing a sports bra for the first time
• Starting their period
• Feeling uncomfortable about body hair
• Comparing themselves to others

These aren't small changes.

They affect how girls feel when they step onto the pitch.

Why This Impacts Sport

When confidence drops, participation often follows.

Girls who once showed up without hesitation may start to:

• Hold back
• Feel uncomfortable training
• Avoid certain situations
• Eventually stop going altogether

Not because they don't enjoy sport — but because they don't feel comfortable in it anymore.

What Girls Need During This Time

Support during this stage doesn't need to be complicated.

But it does need to be intentional.

Girls need:

• Open conversations without embarrassment
• Reassurance that what they're experiencing is normal
• Environments where they feel safe and supported
• Encouragement to keep showing up, even when it feels harder

Most importantly, they need to know: they still belong in sport.

For Parents, Coaches and Schools

This is where the biggest difference can be made.

It's not always obvious when a girl is struggling with confidence.

But small things matter:

• Normalising conversations about puberty
• Creating space where girls feel comfortable asking questions
• Making sure kit and environments feel appropriate
• Reinforcing that effort matters more than appearance

These are the things that help girls stay in the game.

Why We Care About This

At Champion Her Game, we've lived this.

We know how quickly confidence can change during these years — and how easily girls can drift away from sport because of it.

That's why we don't just focus on performance.

We focus on how girls feel.

Because when girls feel confident, supported and seen — they stay.

Starting the Conversation

There's no perfect way to approach these conversations.

But starting them matters.

Because the more we normalise what girls experience, the more likely they are to keep showing up.

Champion Her Game

At Champion Her Game, we understand how much changes during this stage and how much it can affect confidence in sport.

Because at this point, it’s no longer just about having the best boots or top.

It’s about what’s in their kit bag.
A sports bra for the first time.
Managing periods during training or matches.
Thinking about things they never had to before.

These are small changes that can completely shift how girls feel when they show up.

When we talk about it, normalise it, and support girls through it, everything changes.

We help them feel confident, comfortable and in control so they keep showing up and stay in the sport they love.