Get Kids To Play Newsletter - March 2025
Vijay Krishnamurthy
Author of "Get Kids To Play" | Sports Researcher (Ph.D.) | Executive Coach (PCC)
The journey of girls in sports is often hindered by a complex web of societal and logistical challenges, varying starkly between urban and rural settings. In urban areas, the obstacles range xfrom a lack of space and safety concerns to transportation difficulties. Meanwhile, rural areas face different challenges: the absence of female sports role models often leaves young girls needing more inspiration and encouragement to pursue athletic activities. Additionally, prevailing misconceptions about outdoor sports — that they require physical strength stereotypically associated with males or lead to darker skin tones — act as significant deterrents for girls.
Do girls play less than boys? If so, why?
?The story of Shafali Verma, who debuted on the Indian cricket team at just 15, paints a vivid picture of talent and determination. Her meteoric rise to fame, culminating in leading her team to a U-19 T20 World Cup victory in 2023, is the stuff of sporting legends. Yet, beneath the surface of this remarkable journey lies a narrative fraught with challenges, most notably those stemming from gender-based restrictions.
?In her hometown, Shafali faced barriers that prevented her from joining the local cricket academy simply because she was a girl. Her father, Sanjeev Verma, found a creative solution: Shafali cut her hair short and posed as a boy to play the sport she loved. While this tactic worked, it underscores a deeper, more troubling issue — the need for a more inclusive sports environment.
My childhood memories echo this disparity. I recall the school playgrounds where boys dominated the cricket pitches while girls were often sidelined or dissuaded from participating in 'rough' sports. This stark division seemed normal then but now strikes me as a lost opportunity for many of my peers.
?Physiologically, before puberty sets in around the age of 12, boys and girls are virtually on an even playing field. Yet, even at the Under-12 level, the disparity in cricket participation is glaring, with significantly fewer girls taking up the sport. This imbalance isn't due to a lack of talent or interest but often stems from a lack of encouragement and support from parents and educational institutions. It's a societal script that dictates what is appropriate for girls and what isn't, often relegating them to the sidelines of sports and physical activity.
The gravity of these challenges was highlighted in a comprehensive study by Sportz Village, which drew insights from over 800 coaches. The findings were that 72% of young girls faced ridicule while learning sports. Parminder Gill, Co-Founder of Sportz Village, shed light on the consequences of such negativity. "Sports are meant to be a joyful experience for children. However, negative encounters can set off a chain reaction of negativity. For instance, our survey found that 64% of girls opted out of cricket programs after learning that their friends had left due to unpleasant experiences," he stated. This revelation underscores the ripple effect that a single negative experience can have on a girl's sports journey.
?Reflecting on my school days, I remember a talented classmate who abandoned her passion for basketball due to incessant teasing. Her story is not isolated; it mirrors the experiences of countless girls who step back from sports, not for lack of interest or ability, but due to an unsupportive environment.
Despite the strides made by female athletes like Shafali Verma, who have brought laurels to India on international stages, the scenario at the grassroots level paints a starkly different picture. The disparity between the support and recognition women receive at elite sports levels and the challenges they face in local settings is profound.
?Interestingly, the Sportz Village study offers a glimmer of hope. It found that when schools and academies organized girls-only cricket camps, there was a noticeable increase in enrollment over time. This insight suggests a potential immediate strategy: creating exclusive spaces for girls in sports could be a crucial step toward fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment. By adopting such approaches, parents, educators, and community leaders can play a pivotal role in promoting gender equality in sports, ensuring that every girl who dreams of playing has the opportunity to do so, free from ridicule and societal constraints. This shift could pave the way for a future where girls in sports are the norm, not the exception.
How do we get more girls to play?
Start by understanding her interests. Whether it's dancing, team sports, or individual activities, identifying what she enjoys will make the process more enjoyable.
Integrate play into daily routines. This could be as simple as a game of catch after school, a short dance session, or a weekend family walk. Making play a part of routine helps normalize it.
Join her in play activities. If possible, engage in activities together as a family. This strengthens family bonds and provides a positive and supportive environment for her to participate.
Offer a variety of play options. Sometimes, children may not resonate with one specific activity. Providing a range of options allows her to explore and find what she truly enjoys. Enroll in a school with a structured sports program.
Encourage her efforts and achievements. Positive reinforcement, such as praising her for trying new activities or celebrating small victories, will boost her confidence and motivation.
Organize playdates with her peers. Children often find activities more engaging when shared with friends. It provides a social aspect to play and makes it more enjoyable.
Make the environment conducive to play. Ensure she can access age-appropriate toys, sports equipment, or props that align with her interests.
Look for local sports or activity programs. Enrolling her in classes or clubs related to her interests can expose her to structured play with guidance from trained instructors.
Celebrate her autonomy. Allow her to make choices regarding the type of play or activities she wants to explore. This empowers her and makes the experience more enjoyable.
Patience is key. Every child is unique and might need some time to find her preferred activities. Be supportive, and let her explore at her own pace.
(The above section is an excerpt from our book Get Kids To Play)
Power of Play with Cricket Legend Rahul Dravid
In partnership with Plaeto, a conversation titled "The Power of Play - Obstacles to Opportunities" was held at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore with cricket legend Rahul Dravid.
Get Kids To Play Summit at Bangalore ?
Ten months ago, Get Kids To Play was a book. Today, the entire village has come together to move it forward at IIM Bangalore as we wrap up the academic year 2024-25! We thank the kids, parents, school leaders, sports experts, corporates, venue hosts, and several well-wishers for their support across India
To know more about the key takeaways, please visit https://sportzvillage.com/get-kids-to-play-summit/
CSR panel discussion at Get Kids To Play Summit
We love watching sports, particularly when our elite athletes perform well. However, do grassroots sports programs (schools, clubs, academies) receive sufficient funding from Corporations (CSR)? Clearly, more work needs to be done to integrate sports into schools, which will eventually benefit a child's overall well-being.
The panelists Annie George, Shaina Ganapathy, Dilip Kumar, Srikrishna Sridhar Murthy, and Deepthi Bopaiah discussed several aspects of CSR funding with Parminder Gill at the Get Kids To Play summit, held at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
Video Recording: Get Kids To Play Summit (Bangalore)
To watch the event recording of the summit, please follow the link below.
What topics would you like us to cover?
We designed the book with two critical decision-makers in mind: parents and school leaders. Both groups want to get the kids to play but often struggle with the "How?" and get bogged down with obstacles.
Thank you for reading our monthly newsletter!
-Vijay and Saumil
Business growth & Digital Re-invention | Accenture Strategy | IIM Bangalore | Coal India | NIT Surathkal
3 小时前Wonderful, easy practical insights to increase girls' participation on the playground right from early ages ?? A long way to go though!!!!!, ?? Even in elite gated societies in Bengaluru with plenty of playground access, girls' participation is abysmally low As u said, motivation at home, comfort through exclusive girls's play spaces and confidence through coaching, will make the difference