Rally Report 2026: The momentum is growing. But too many girls are still being left behind

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Canadian girls are playing organized sport at higher rates than in 2020, as unprecedented momentum in women’s professional sport creates new possibilities for ...

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian girls are playing organized sport at higher rates than in 2020, as unprecedented momentum in women’s professional sport creates new possibilities for the next generation. But progress is not reaching all girls equally. Rally Report 2026: Turning Progress into Lasting Change for All Girls in Sport, Canadian Women & Sport’s flagship research, launches today in partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.

The report finds that 61% of girls play organized sport at least weekly, compared to 71% of boys. While girls’ participation remains above 2020 levels (50%), the gap between boys and girls has widened from 5 to 10 percentage points since 2024. This reflects modest shifts in both groups: a slight decrease in girls’ participation alongside a slight increase for boys.

Participation is also uneven among girls. Since 2024, participation among girls from lower-income households has fallen from 52% to 47%, while participation among girls aged 6 to 8 has fallen from 66% to 58%.

“There is more momentum around girls’ and women’s sport than we have seen in generations, and that creates an incredible opportunity,” said Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, CEO, Canadian Women & Sport. “Sport can shape confidence, connection and belonging, and every girl deserves access to those benefits. Now is the time to turn this momentum into lasting change so more girls can get into sport, stay in it and thrive through it.”

Getting girls into sport matters. Keeping them there means paying attention to the experience they have once they arrive. Nearly 4 in 5 girls describe their overall sport experience as positive, yet among girls who have stopped playing, nearly half say they don’t feel confident, supported or safe to participate. Body image concerns affect 1 in 2 girls aged 13 to 18, and more than 2 in 5 girls say they have experienced bullying, unfair treatment or exclusion in sport.

“Every girl deserves to feel like she belongs in sport,” said…

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