A young woman’s opportunities in sport should not depend on her postcode. Yet accessing training, educational activities, and professional networks can involve different challenges for athletes living in smaller towns or rural communities.
Through its focus on gender equality and dual careers, GENDERWISE raises an important question: how can learning and development opportunities reach young female athletes beyond major urban centres?
Understanding Local Circumstances
Smaller communities have different sporting resources and strengths. Some have active clubs and dedicated coaches, while others offer fewer options or require athletes to travel regularly to access suitable facilities.
Distance can affect more than training. Attending a workshop, meeting a mentor, or taking part in a professional development activity may require transport, additional expenses, and time away from school.
These circumstances deserve attention when organisations plan opportunities. Listening to local athletes and clubs can help identify what would make participation practical.
Looking Beyond the Usual Networks
Calls for participation often circulate through established contacts. Reaching athletes in smaller communities requires organisations to consider who receives the information and whether it reaches those outside their existing networks.
Local schools, sports clubs, youth organisations, and community centres can help share opportunities. Clear information about eligibility, schedules, costs, and participation requirements allows young women to assess whether an activity is suitable for them.
Direct contact with local organisations can also reveal barriers that a general announcement might miss. A club may know that transport is a difficulty or that an activity clashes with school commitments.
Making Digital Learning Accessible
Online learning can reduce the need to travel and give athletes greater flexibility around training and education. GENDERWISE’s digital learning approach creates opportunities to consider how participants can access educational content from different locations.
However, online availability alone does not guarantee access. Organisations should consider whether materials work well on mobile devices, whether activities require a reliable connection, and whether participants have a suitable place to study.
Clear navigation, manageable learning units, and flexible schedules can make participation easier. Feedback from users in different settings can help identify where further adjustments are needed.
Building Connections Across Communities
Young athletes benefit from opportunities to exchange experiences with people beyond their own club. Connecting participants from different communities can introduce new perspectives and make professional pathways more visible.
Mentoring and peer exchange can provide space to discuss education, sporting commitments, and future ambitions. These connections may be particularly useful when a participant has limited access to relevant guidance locally.
Activities should also recognise the knowledge already present in smaller communities. Local coaches, volunteers, and sports professionals bring experience that can contribute to shared learning.
Supporting Participation in Person
Some opportunities require physical attendance. Early planning and clear communication can help athletes and families manage travel and other commitments.
Organisers can consider accessible locations, realistic start times, and available support for transport or accommodation. Where resources allow, working with local partners to host activities in different places can broaden participation.
Any assistance should be explained clearly so that potential participants understand what is covered and what arrangements they need to make themselves.
Listening Before Designing Solutions
The needs of athletes in smaller communities should be explored directly with them. Assumptions based on location can overlook important differences between participants.
A short consultation might ask which opportunities athletes currently access, what prevents them from joining others, and which forms of support would help. Their answers can guide decisions about delivery, timing, and outreach.
Collecting feedback throughout an activity also allows organisations to assess whether their arrangements are working in practice.
How GENDERWISE Contributes
GENDERWISE supports the dual careers of young female athletes aged 14 to 26 through educational resources, digital learning opportunities, and mentoring. These approaches provide a basis for exploring how learning and support can reach participants across different geographical settings.
For BRAVO, inclusive participation means considering where young women live and the practical circumstances shaping their access. Cooperation with local organisations and attention to participant feedback can help bring opportunities within reach of more athletes.
Talent and ambition exist across communities. Project activities should be designed with that diversity in mind.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
GENDERWISE is a 30-month initiative funded under the Erasmus+ Sport programme, bringing together seven partners from six European countries. The project promotes gender equality in sport and supports dual careers for young female athletes through educational resources, online learning, and mentoring.
Stay tuned as BRAVO continues sharing GENDERWISE activities and perspectives on creating more inclusive opportunities for young women in sport.
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