Supporting Women and Girls in Winter Sport: Research-Informed Guidance
Practical guidance for individuals and sports organizations to encourage women and girls to participate in sport during winter months.
source: women in sport uk
The “Keeping Women Warm to Sport in Winter” toolkit, produced by Women in Sport UK, provides evidence-based guidance to sustain and grow women’s participation in outdoor sport during winter months. Drawing on research into barriers such as safety concerns, cold weather, and lack of supportive environments, the toolkit offers actionable strategies to address these challenges.
What you should know:
The study challenged their assumptions on safety being a leading barrier to activity in colder months. Only 6% of women recently identified personal safety as a reason for reduced activity during autumn — far behind weather (≈33%), motivation (≈28–29%), or cultural factors.
Deeper safety concerns exist beneath the surface. Although not cited as an immediate barrier, many women (over 50%) admit safety has ever influenced their participation — especially among younger women and urban residents.
Safety worries often combine with other barriers. Many reported safety hesitations (e.g., cycling with their child in the dark) are tied to environmental and practical concerns (e.g., lack of light, visibility, cold), showing how safety, daylight hours, and weather interplay.
Learn more about the toolkit: Keeping Women Warm to Sport in Winter
