And while almost half (47.5 per cent) of girls aged five to nine participated in community sport in 2023, just 21.8 per cent of 15-19-year-old girls remained involved in sport. “That’s always where we have seen a big drop-off in sport,” said Federation University professor of sport science Professor Rochelle Eime. “A lot of girls don’t necessarily like the competitive nature of sport, and sport can get very serious around 15 to 19, but the majority of girls at that age just want to play with their friendship groups.” Genazzano FCJ College principal Loretta Wholley, who became president of Girls Sport Victoria this week, will focus her efforts on keeping those aged 15 to 18 involved in sport, as well as creating pathways for students into sports at an elite level by working with organisations such as the Australian Women’s Golf Network.