COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 11, 2024) — USA Volleyball is proud to announce its collaboration with Body Confident Sport and Laureus USA to help girls build body confidence and foster an inclusive, supportive environment in sports. The partnership aims to ensure that girls not only feel they belong in sports but also thrive in an atmosphere that encourages self-esteem and resilience.
Body Confident Sport is an innovative, scientifically-backed program designed to promote body positivity among girls aged 11-17. Developed in collaboration with leading global experts— including the Centre for Appearance Research and the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport— the program incorporates insights from girls and coaches across six countries. Body Confident Sport equips coaches with a comprehensive toolkit to lead impactful, confidence-building discussions that empower young athletes.
USA Volleyball is already piloting the Body Confident Sport initiative at girls clubs nationwide and has integrated it into its National Team Development Program Training Series. With a two-year grant from Laureus Sport for Good, the program will be made available to all USA Volleyball regions and clubs in 2025.
“Body Confident Sport aligns seamlessly with USA Volleyball’s commitment to supporting the development of the whole athlete,” said USA Volleyball Chief of Sport Dr. Peter Vint. “This innovative program will help ensure volleyball remains a sport where girls feel confident, supported and able to reach their full potential.”
Body Confident Sport is designed to be delivered through in-person, small group discussions where girls have a safe space to share their experiences and concerns about body image. Coaches, who undergo training via a self-guided program, will lead these discussions and encourage positive dialogue that promotes a healthy relationship with body image.
“Volleyball is currently the most popular team sport for high school girls in the U.S., and it’s our goal to continue growing the sport,” said USA Volleyball Director of Education Services Dr. Jenny Johnson. “Unfortunately, around the world, teenage girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys, often because of low body confidence. With this program, we can give girls the tools to build positive body image and feel confident on and off the court.”
For more information about Body Confident Sport, reach out to Dr. Lauren Walker or Dr. Jenny Johnson.
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