Abstract
Girls often face barriers to meaningful sport participation, especially within men-dominated sports. Increasing inclusive sport spaces for girls is crucial for fostering their belonging and enjoyment in sport. Canadian Girls Baseball (CGB) is a women-led organization that offers girls-only programming and intentional leadership opportunities to encourage girls’ retention in sport. The purpose of this study was to explore participants’ experiences of gender within this unique context. Seventeen youth athletes and seven junior coaches participated in two focus groups over 4 weeks to explore the study purpose. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and two themes were created: (a) gendered realities in baseball and (b) inclusive sport spaces for social and personal growth. Within the first theme, participants articulated that exposure to women mentors and girl-identifying peers at CGB encouraged their sustained involvement in baseball and facilitated positive shifts in baseball culture, which was meaningful for participants given their previous negative experiences in men-dominated baseball spaces. Within the second theme, participants outlined that being in this girls-only environment fostered connection and relatedness between peers and coaches, promoting a psychologically safe and supportive atmosphere. Being around other girls fostered feelings of comfort, allowing participants to express themselves authentically. The inclusive environment cultivated within CGB fostered girls’ sense of empowerment and personal growth. Findings extend understanding of how girls-only sport spaces can reduce gendered barriers and promote feelings of inclusion. These insights highlight the value of intentionally structuring safe and supportive sport environments for girls that promote inclusion, mentorship, and meaningful participation.
