Millfield Girls in Sport Committee continue to implement positive change

The Girls in Sport programme was launched in 2021, driven by the need to address a recognised lack of support for female athletes from a young age, particularly regarding the impact of the menstrual cycle on training and development. The Girls in Sport (GiS) community aims to educate, raise awareness, and remove taboos surrounding issues that can hinder female athletes’ progress, such as puberty, menstruation, hip and breast health, and concussion in women’s sport. 

Millfield’s strong reputation in youth sport development is reflected in its 500+ female athletes participating across 30 sports. This provides a unique opportunity to support, develop, and empower girls both within and beyond the school community. 

The student-led (GiS) committee has introduced a number of positive changes at Millfield over the past four years, challenging norms to influence the culture and narrative around female athletes. Key developments include: 

Kit adjustments to better suit female body shapes.

Hosting guest speakers to share experiences and insights.

Introducing ‘Caught Short’ kits to provide essential period products.

Ensuring equal accessibility to sports facilities.

Creation of a weekly forum where representatives from across the school can meet and address key topics.

Previously, in collaboration with Well HQ, students and staff have attended talks on the menstrual cycle and its effects on female athletes, as well as on nutrition and RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), highlighting the impact of energy deficits on health and performance. Millfield’s sports coaches also received specialist training to better support female athletes, incorporating menstrual cycle tracking, tailored training sessions, and female-specific injury prevention into their coaching practices. 

This year, the group is focusing on expanding its message to a wider audience both within and outside the school. There remains significant work to be done regarding widening participation, improving accessibility, and increasing retention of girls in sport. In addition to officially launching an Instagram platform to celebrate a wide range of sports—from hockey and rugby to equestrian disciplines —the group will provide guidance on mental wellbeing, female health, and sports nutrition. The community is passionate about supporting women and girls at every stage of their sporting journey, regardless of age or discipline. 

GiS student committee member and Captain of School, Eden Robinson, said:

"The Girls in Sport initiative has given female students a platform to be heard and advocated for. By leading assemblies and sparking discussions that were not happening before, the group has had a significant impact on sport at Millfield. Different teams have come together to celebrate one another, and new opportunities have been created—such as playing on the Sir Gareth Edwards pitch—where previously they did not exist. This initiative is incredible, and we hope to continue breaking barriers to benefit female athletes in sport.”

Millfield has also recently announced the appointment of Irena Dzisiewska as its first female Director of Sport. She commented: 

"Initiatives like this are one of the reasons I’m so excited to join Millfield. With 42% of our student body being girls, I am incredibly proud of the strides made by the Girls in Sport programme. We are not just responding to the needs of female athletes; we are actively leading the way in creating a culture where girls can thrive both physically and mentally. Girls face unique challenges in sport, and our programme raises awareness while educating girls, boys, and staff alike. There is still much to be done, and I look forward to seeing how, empowered by this programme, the Girls in Sport group can continue to shape the wider sporting landscape.”