Ten years of This Girl Can

This Girl Can, Sport England's groundbreaking campaign to get women and girls active, marks its 10th birthday this month, having transformed millions of lives across England through National Lottery funding.

After a decade of breaking down barriers and empowering women to move their bodies in their own way, over three million more women are active compared to when This Girl Can launched in January 2015. 

Powered with £30 million funding from The National Lottery, the campaign's bold approach has resonated deeply, with eight in ten women reporting it boosted their confidence to get active.

Despite the success of the last 10 years, there are still too many women who don’t feel that physical activity is for them.

Active Lives survey data shows that women on lower incomes, those who are pregnant or with a child under one, older women or women from Black or Muslim communities are less likely to be active.

This may be due to cultural or systemic barriers alongside the emotional and practical barriers This Girl Can has always tackled.

The 2025 campaign will focus on supporting those women – directly providing advice, inspiration and encouragement – and working with activity providers to help them create more inclusive environments.

This phase of the campaign begins in February, with a call-to-action that will help all of us understand more about the barriers these groups of women face.

Chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: "Happy birthday, This Girl Can! As a campaign it has been integral to Sport England’s mission to support everyone to get active – regardless of their bank balance, background, ability or postcode.

"It’s led the charge in breaking down the barriers that prevent women from engaging in sport and physical activity and tackling the gender activity gap, and helped teach us all how to think and act differently. 

"So thank you to all those involved in delivering it – and a huge thank you to The National Lottery and its players for their continued support for the campaign."

Find out more about the This Girl Can campaign