Throughout history, sports have been seen as a powerful avenue for personal growth, development, and social change. While traditionally dominated by men, women and girls have increasingly embraced athletics, and the impact of their participation extends far beyond physical fitness. Research and real-life success stories illustrate a profound truth: girls who play sports often grow into women who lead.
Statistics back up the connection between girls in sports and women in leadership. According to research from Ernst & Young and ESPNW, a significant percentage of women in executive leadership positions were once athletes. In fact, 94% of women in the C-suite (the highest executive level of a company) have a background in playing sport. This isn’t just a coincidence. The leadership qualities cultivated on the playing field—confidence, teamwork, discipline, communication, resilience—are precisely the ones needed in the boardroom.
Nationally, almost two-thirds of girls drop out of sports by their teens. At Benenden, we encourage participation in sport, whether as part of a team or individually, and are proud that the proportion of our students who take part in some form of sport is so high. Ryan Garnsworthy, Director of Sport, is very aware of the importance of keeping girls involved in sport for as long as possible: “We actively strive to address many of the barriers to participation such as a fear of judgement, pressure to prioritize schoolwork over sport, and a lack of confidence in their ability or appearance by ensuring the sporting environment here is inclusive and non-judgemental. We offer a wide range of sports at different times across a week in the hope that every student will find an activity they enjoy and time to take part”.
One of the most important qualities in any leader is confidence, and sports serve as a training ground for developing this trait. Whether on the lacrosse pitches, netball court, in the gym or swimming pool, girls learn to face challenges head-on. Winning and losing games, working towards personal bests, and overcoming injuries foster resilience. Sports teach young women how to stay composed under pressure and bounce back from failure, instilling in them a belief in their own abilities.
This resilience is key in leadership roles, where obstacles and setbacks are inevitable. A girl who has experienced the highs and lows of competition is more likely to have the emotional endurance required to lead a team, a business, or a community through difficult times.
Athletes are constantly setting goals, both big and small, and working towards them with discipline and dedication. Whether it’s mastering a new technique, shaving seconds off a race time, or winning a championship, the process of goal setting in sports teaches young girls how to focus on long-term objectives. They learn to break down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps, reinforcing the kind of strategic thinking that is essential in leadership roles.
This ability to plan, prioritize, and stay disciplined through setbacks makes women who were once athletes better prepared for leadership challenges, where long-term vision and careful planning are often the difference between success and failure.
As society continues to recognize the value of female leadership, encouraging girls to participate in sports is not just about fostering physical health—it’s about cultivating the next generation of women leaders. Girls who play sports grow into women who lead, and the world is better for it.
What sport means to us: Hear from some of Benenden’s Sixth Form students.
“Sport means a lot to me, and by competing at a high level, it has taught me many things such as self-belief and confidence. I fence for Great Britain and have been to many national and international competitions in places like Hungary, Germany and more. The busy environments and high pressures have help me develop resilience and confidence in myself, to perform at my best ability. Something that I love about fencing, and my other sports like hockey and netball are the communication and social aspect of the sports, as well as the new people I get to meet. Playing sports has improved my teamwork and leadership skills, which will be so important in the future.” Verity
“Going to the gym is something I do weekly, focusing mostly on weights and strength training. It is something I love doing and keeps my motivation levels up when I’m stuck behind my desk all day. The gym requires me to plan and set goals, meaning when I enter the gym, I know what I’m doing. Some weeks I don’t feel like going because I’m too tired, but even so, I still go. Having it as something I do as part of my routine has instilled discipline in me and has allowed me to stay focused in other parts of my life as well.” Gabby
“Sport has always been a huge part of my life, at the age of two I started gymnastics and from then I’ve had a consistent love for sport. To me, sport is an escape from everything else in my life, when I’m playing in a match nothing else matters but what’s happening in that game, it’s the only time I can focus on one thing. As a result of playing team sport, I have developed teamwork and companionship, which has led to good communication. My teammates are so supportive which has raised my confidence and self-belief, and my captaincy roles throughout my sporting career have improved my leadership and built up my resilience as I know I have to push through to set an example for my team. These are skills I know I will take forward in the next stage of my life.” Lara
“For me, sport has always transcended just the physical activity and has influenced and shaped the person I am today. Playing competitively from a young age taught me how to win with humility and to be resilient in losing; I taken both mindsets into all other aspects of my life, which have served me well. Captaining the netball team this year has laid the foundations of my leadership and communication skills and most importantly to me, sport has been a catalyst in building lifelong friendships with my teammates. As a netball shooter, my favourite quote has always been ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take’. While it perfectly fits the netball court, it is also a reminder I carry beyond sport, giving me the confidence and self-belief to take risks and seize every opportunity life presents.” Eva
“To me, sport provides an essential outlet from the stresses of daily life, allowing me to channel my energy into team activities that foster competitiveness. This competitivity has encouraged me to express my insights during team discussions, in order to contribute and show my desire for collective progress and success. My leadership abilities have developed from this competitivity and drive to succeed, which has further helped me in my leadership in life beyond sport.” Evie
“Fitness is my way of disconnecting from the world and recharging. Even on days where I struggle to find the motivation to run, the burst of satisfaction from the post run endorphins serves as a powerful reminder of why I continue. Fitness has built my confidence not only in the gym but in all aspects of life. By overcoming personal challenges and achieving goals in the gym it has lead to personal growth. I have built resilience from pushing through mental barriers and improving my pace whilst running. These qualities I have learnt from the gym are essential for leadership.” Gea