Help Indigenous girls get into sports by making participation affordable, accessible and welcoming. Families, coaches and communities can address transportation and safety barriers, encourage girls to explore activities they enjoy, and connect them with supportive programs. Sport can help girls build confidence, develop leadership skills and strengthen connections to culture and community.

What Barriers Keep Indigenous Girls From Participating in Sports?

Indigenous girls can face financial, transportation, safety and social barriers to sport participation. Gaps in local programming and services can also limit access to recreational and competitive opportunities in Indigenous communities across Ontario.

Access means more than having a team nearby. Registration costs, a lack of reliable transportation, stereotypes about girls in sport and an unwelcoming experience can all make participation harder. Supporting Indigenous girls starts with asking what stands in their way, then working with families and communities to address those barriers.

How Can Families and Communities Help Indigenous Girls Get Started in Sports?

Families and communities can help Indigenous girls get started by listening to their interests and making the first step manageable. Ask which sports or recreational activities a girl would like to try, help identify suitable local opportunities and discuss what support she needs to participate.

That support might mean arranging transportation, exploring financial assistance or finding a program where she feels safe and welcome. Encouragement matters, too: celebrate her willingness to try, not just her performance. The goal is to help her find an activity she enjoys and wants to return to.

What are the Benefits of Sports for Indigenous Girls?

Sport can help Indigenous girls build confidence, leadership and communication skills while supporting physical activity and personal development. Recreational and competitive programs can both offer opportunities to practise decision-making, work with others and develop a stronger sense of identity.

The benefits of culturally-grounded sport program participation extend beyond athletic achievement. Trying a new skill, contributing to a team and working through challenges can help girls discover their strengths. Sport can also provide a constructive way to express emotions, build supportive friendships and experience a sense of belonging.

How Can Sport Connect Indigenous Girls with Culture and Community?

Sport can give Indigenous girls opportunities to connect with peers, build relationships and strengthen their sense of community. Programs that respect Indigenous identities and create space for cultural connection can make participation more meaningful.

Shared experiences in sport can help girls develop a support network and see themselves as valued members of their communities. Participation can also create opportunities to travel, meet new people and challenge stereotypes about who belongs in sport.

How Can Coaches Help Indigenous Girls Feel Welcome in Sports?

Coaches can help Indigenous girls feel welcome by creating a safe, respectful environment where learning and participation matter alongside performance. Listening to girls, taking their concerns seriously, and challenging stereotypes are practical ways to support a positive experience.

An inclusive approach also recognizes that participants arrive with different experiences, abilities and levels of confidence. Clear encouragement, opportunities to contribute and respect for each girl's identity can help turn an initial interest in sport into continued participation.

What Financial Support Can Help Indigenous Girls Access Sports in Ontario?

ISWO's Women & Girls Sports Fund is designed to provide financial support to help Indigenous girls and women access sport opportunities and overcome barriers to participation. Families and community organizations interested in the fund should check with ISWO for current availability, eligibility requirements and application dates.

Financial support can be one part of a broader approach to access. Pairing funding opportunities with practical help, such as transportation and encouragement, can make it easier for girls to take part in sport.

How Can You Support an Indigenous Girl's Sport Journey?

Support an Indigenous girl's sport journey by asking what she wants to try, helping address barriers and continuing to encourage her as she learns. Whether she chooses recreational activity or competitive sport, her experience should offer room to grow, connect and enjoy participating.

ISWO believes sport has the power to change lives and recognizes the vital role girls and women play in Indigenous communities. Helping a girl access sport is about more than getting her into a game: it is about supporting her confidence, choices and sense of belonging.