Ways To Prepare For The World Cup (part 2): The Gender Dream Gap
What can Women in Sport's research about the women's football World Cup tell us about the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
Women in Sport recent research on the Women’s Football World Cup gives an insight into viewing figures and the sporting aspirations of girls. There has been increased visbility and viewing figures for women’s sport.
However, this has not led to a rise in the number of girls dreaming of high success within sport. Boys still dream of lifting trophies and playing sport in front of sell-out crowds in higher numbers than girls.
53% of girls watched the 2023 Women’s Football World Cup.
‘Daring to Dream: The Gender Dream Deficit in Sport’ stated that girls found the football exciting and that it was played to a high standard. Girls felt inspired to participate in more sport due to the World Cup.
However, girls are less likely to dream of being a sportstar.
29% of girls dream of reaching the top of sport.
52% of boys dream of reaching the top of sport.
Why is there a gender dream gap? Attitudes towards professional women’s sport and lack of investment play a part. Girls also percieve larger barriers within grassroots sport than boys.
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is fast approaching. This research from Women in Sport has both good and bad news. Viewing figures increasing and a rise of girls wanting to participate in sport is excellent for both the tournament organisers and rugby clubs.
However, the most worrying aspect is that being a top performing sportswoman is not as aspirational as it should be. Girls should be able to freely dream about kicking last minute drop goals.
Here’s how we can help bridge the gender dream gap to help get ready for the World Cup and beyond.
Both girls and boys want more opportunities inside and outside of school. This includes a wider variety of sports to try. 24% of girls would also like more female-only options.
Better sports facilities, teachers and coaches have a better understanding of participants needs, and more support to help attendees build confidence are three ways both boys and girls identified would help them engage with sport.
As well as benefits to boys and girls, the report also identified how to help girls be more aspirational within sport:
60% of girls wanted equal coverage of men’s and women’s sport in the media.
51% of girls want an increased amount of celebrations about female achievements in sport.
51% of girls want an increased amount of support for women’s and girls’ teams.
41% of girls want equal access to sport and training.
With the World Cup just over a year away, alot of these issues are systemic. However, some can be solved locally and are within our power to help control.
If you’re at a local rugby club, forging close relationships with schools can help recruitment for your team and increase the access girls have to sport.
Try and organise coaches going into schools to deliver sport. This could be lunchtime, afterschool clubs or during lessons. Liaise with the teachers to see what information and guidance they would need to feel comfortable running rugby sessions.
You can help get players get familiar with female role models. Ask them to watch some highlights of international fixtures. Give them a challenge to come back at next week’s training and tell their team a player they liked and why.
Although the increased celebration of female achievements needs to be seen at a national and global level, your club can also play their part. Celebrate female role models, players and volunteers at the club. This needs to happen both in person and on the main club’s social media.
Your club can also ensure they’re showing televised women’s fixtures in the clubhouse bar. Promote the events on social media. Make sure your members know when women’s matches are being shown at the club.
Find out more about Women in Sport’s research: Daring to Dream: The Gender Deficit in Sport