Paralympian Stef Reid: Sport transformed my life – I want the same for all young women

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Then it was: ‘This thing is awesome, you should stare at it, it’s amazing!’” Let’s ask girls what they need Sports provided a safe space for Reid to rediscover herself – but there were barriers to overcome, and she’s a fierce believer in our duty to do this for all girls. We just can’t have that.” The way “sports is set up” is a big part of the problem, she says, and we need to make it “more accessible, friendly and open for women and girls.” There are multiple factors to this picture, but Reid believes some of the barriers could actually be quite “simple” to solve, provided we’re willing. For example, if we want to understand what’s leading teenage girls to drop out of sports and what they need to feel better supported – “we just ask them,” she says. At the end of the day, this is about making sport something that brings joy and confidence and fun.” open image in gallery Stef Reid on her way to silver at the London 2012 Games Always’ research found nearly 75% of girls feel they require more support to keep them involved in sport.