Beyond Participation: Building Confident, Self-Aware Girls in HPE and Sport
Session Description
Adolescent girls are dropping out of sport and disengaging from physical education at increasing rates, not due to lack of ability, but due to internal barriers such as fear of judgement, comparison, and low self-belief.
This session explores the “inner game” behind participation in HPE, offering educators a practical framework to better understand and support the emotional and psychological experiences of female students in movement settings.
Drawing on experience working with teenage athletes across schools and community sport, this workshop provides simple, actionable strategies that can be embedded into everyday teaching practice.
Participants will learn how to create psychologically safe environments, integrate reflective practices into HPE, and use intentional language and activities to build confidence, resilience and engagement, particularly for students at risk of disengagement.
This session connects directly to the Victorian Curriculum by supporting personal and social capability development alongside movement participation, helping educators foster more inclusive, empowered and engaged learners.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
Understand key psychological barriers impacting girls’ participation in HPE
Learn practical strategies to build confidence and engagement in movement settings
Develop simple tools to integrate self-reflection and emotional awareness into PE classes
Leave with actionable ideas to support student wellbeing alongside curriculum outcomes
Understand key psychological barriers impacting girls’ participation in HPE
Learn practical strategies to build confidence and engagement in movement settings
Develop simple tools to integrate self-reflection and emotional awareness into PE classes
Leave with actionable ideas to support student wellbeing alongside curriculum outcomes
Curriculum Level
7 - 10
Keywords
Lifelong Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing
Presentation Type
Classroom Workshop
A
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