Why movement matters: The mental health game-changer for girls

Whether your daughter is naturally sporty or not, she is a teenager living in a world full of anxiety and pressures that they need to learn to manage. According to research from the Women's Sports Foundation (an American advocacy group founded by tennis legend Billie Jean King,) playing sport can significantly lower depression and anxiety in teen girls. The numbers paint a stark picture with those who don’t play any sports having almost double the incidence of depression and anxietyMany studies show that girls who participate in sports have

The teenage brain is still developing, and regular physical activity literally reshapes neural pathways leading to:

A recent study published in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity showed that sedentary behaviour was significantly associated with psychological distress. Breaking up long periods of sitting with physical activity isn't just about fitness – it's about maintaining mental equilibrium during some of the most challenging developmental years. When the environment emphasises personal growth, teamwork, and resilience, the sports field can become a sanctuary where girls can:

When she plays hockey after school, she isn't just getting exercise; she's processing the day's academic and social stresses through movement, releasing endorphins, and gaining focus and emotional regulation.

Exploring different options offers better outcomes than focusing on a single discipline from a young age. Research from the Women's Sports Foundation suggests the rates of mental health disorders are five times lower for girls who play multiple sports and have played sports for more than five years, versus girls who don’t play sport at all. “The magic happens when girls discover they belong somewhere, when they learn that their contribution matters to something bigger than themselves..

When girls experience diverse athletic challenges – from the strategic thinking required in netball to the individual focus of swimming, or the team coordination needed in rowing – they develop a broader range of physical and mental skills. (Refer the Long Term Athletic Development model for more insights). Your daughter might want to quit swimming at 12, only to find her passion in athletics at 14. Or perhaps she’ll discover that the leadership skills she learned in early team sports become useful in academic or career settings later. As a parent, your job is to get them to try as many sports as possible and support continued participation – even when academic pressures mount or interests seem to shift.

Team sports offer unique mental health benefits. They teach girls how to communicate under pressure, how to support teammates through failure, and how to celebrate collective success. These experiences build emotional intelligence and resilience that individual achievements simply cannot match.

Here's the game-changer: a supportive environment, not winning, delivers the most positive mental health outcomes. A supportive, inclusive sports environment where effort is celebrated over outcome creates lasting benefits that extend far beyond athletic performance. When winning becomes the primary focus, sports can actually increase anxiety and depression, particularly for girls who may already face pressure to be perfect in academic and social settings. When the environment emphasises personal growth, teamwork, and resilience, the sports field become a sanctuary where girls can take risks, fail safely, and build confidence through overcoming challenges.

Early specialisation often leads to burnout and a narrow view of what athletic success looks like. Instead, your teen will build resilience, adaptability, and confidence if she’s exposed to a range of sports. “A swimmer who also plays volleyball learns different movement patterns, social dynamics, and problem-solving approaches,” says Tewitz. “This variety keeps sports fresh and engaging while building a foundation of diverse skills that transfer far beyond the playing field.” *Watch out for an upcoming article to learn more about how single sports specialisation affects your child’s body later in life.

The coach who celebrates your teen’s improved fitness rather than the final score, the team mates who rally around her when she’s having a bad day, your words "Did you have fun?" rather than "Did you win?" – makes school sport a powerful tool for your daughter’s mental wellness rather than another source of pressure.