Body dissatisfaction is driving young people especially girls away from sports, and it’s time to change the conversation. At the Butterfly Trophies Lunch in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, experts, athletes, and advocates came together to raise awareness of the impact of body image pressures in sporting environments.
George Perry, COO of YMCA New South Wales, highlighted the importance of enjoyment and inclusivity in keeping young athletes engaged. YMCA’s sports mentoring programs have seen positive results, from allowing girls to wear their own T-shirts in gymnastics instead of leotards to recruiting diverse trainers as role models. Their approach focuses on resilience, perseverance, and teamwork, not just physical performance.
"So it's about healthy mind and spirit as much as as much as a healthy body as well. So, you know, teaching them life skills, like, you know, resilience, perseverance and teamwork. So we believe that those are really important parts of of learning a sport as well. So we encourage them to do that." – George Perry
With rising concerns about social media-driven body ideals and confidence issues in sports, initiatives like these are crucial to keeping young people active and engaged.The YMCA’s programs focus on enjoyment, skill-building, and self-confidence, ensuring young people engage in physical activity for the right reasons.
By shifting the focus from appearance to ability, YMCA NSW and leaders like George Perry are helping young athletes stay in control of their health, confidence, and love for sport—without the pressure of unrealistic body ideals.
Read more on the SBS : https://bit.ly/4ivoOw5
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