A powerful new report from charity Women in Sport reveals that nearly half of Black girls in the UK are dropping out of sport during their teenage years, despite being significantly more likely than their White British peers to aspire to elite athletic careers.

Titled Dear Sport: Black Girls and Sport – A Break-Up Story, the report highlights a stark contradiction: while Black girls are twice as likely as White British girls to dream of becoming top athletes, 48% end up leaving sport entirely in adolescence.

The research suggests this dropout crisis is not due to a lack of interest or talent, but rather a complex mix of systemic barriers. These include experiences of racism, misogyny, and marginalisation, as well as rigid sporting environments that often fail to create inclusive and supportive spaces for Black girls.

Women in Sport is now calling on schools, sports organisations and coaches to take urgent action. The charity urges the creation of safer, more inclusive sporting spaces that actively challenge stereotypes and dismantle discriminatory practices. Their message is clear: if sport is to be truly a force for good, it must work for everyone.

You can read the full report at Women in Sport.