The ‘Big Sister’ project, led by Women in Sport, working with Hey Girls, Places Foundation and not-for-profit leisure provider Places Leisure, aims to break down the barriers that teenage girls face in leading healthy, happy and active lives by creating a supportive network of ‘Big Sisters’.

Through its research, Women in Sport found that young women and girls, particularly those in areas of higher deprivation, face significant barriers to accessing and maintaining active lifestyles. The charity identified four key challenges: affordability, body confidence, period poverty and worry about safety or harassment.

“One in three young girls avoid sport and exercise because they feel self-conscious about their appearance. There is also a lack of knowledge of how to cope with the onset of puberty with only 10 per cent of teenage girls report wearing a sports bra for exercise – more than half have never worn one,” says Wendy Hawk, head of engagement at Women in Sport.

“Periods and period poverty further prevent girls from maintaining activity. Action needs to be taken to give girls and young women the chance to lead happy, healthy, active lives.”

The ‘Big Sister’ programme will help girls aged 9-15 in target areas feel ‘sport ready’ by recruiting a network of ‘big sisters’ – peer leaders and supporters from sport, school and community organisations. Sport leaders will be trained on the emotional and physical barriers girls face, and girls taking part in the programme will be offered free girl-focused exercise sessions, gym membership and access to the award-winning Places Locker fitness app.

There will also be free reusable period products, resource packs and a range of digital resources to help girls feel confident enough to take part in sport.