When we watch sports, we don’t just see athletes: we see stories, role models, and possibilities. But for too long, the stories that dominate sports media have left many girls sitting on the sidelines, unsure if there’s a place for them on the field, in the locker room, or even in the conversation.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my time working with Girls Forward, it’s that this organization believes that representation is more than just visibility, it’s power. The power to see yourself reflected. The power to imagine a future in sport that includes you.

I didn’t grow up playing a ton of organized sports. I played a couple of years of soccer and softball when I was still in elementary school, young enough that no one told me sport wasn’t “for girls” yet. At that point, it was just about having fun, and I was frankly more interested in picking dandelions on the sidelines. As I got older, however, I realized that the sport I was really passionate about was dance, and I began to pursue it competitively.

And here’s the thing: no one ever questioned my place in dance. I never had to fight to prove I belonged there. I was also incredibly privileged to grow up looking around competitions and conventions and seeing dancers, adjudicators and teachers who looked like me, with similar lived experiences. Because of that, I grew up with a sense of confidence that I deserved to be there. I had the space to grow, thrive, and take up room, without hesitation.

Every girl deserves to feel that way. Whether they’re in ballet slippers or cleats, on a BMX track or a rugby pitch, girls should grow up believing they have every right to be there. And not just some girls. Every girl.

“she cannot be what she cannot see”

A mentor of mine once said something that’s stuck with me ever since:
“She cannot be what she cannot see.”

It’s a simple truth, and one I’ve seen play out firsthand in my work with the Northern Super League, Canada’s professional women’s soccer league. I’ve been part of the league since before all six teams were even signed on, and let me tell you: when girls see a league built for them, by people who believe in their future, it lights something up. Whether they’re in the stands or scrolling through highlights, they suddenly see a version of themselves they didn’t know was possible.

Representation is still the exception, not the rule

Despite all this progress, we’re still far from parity. Women’s sports receive less than 10% of total sports media coverage. Coverage of 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous athletes is even more scarce.

That absence isn’t just a gap, it’s a message. It tells girls from marginalized communities that their stories aren’t worth telling. It shrinks the scope of their dreams.

That’s why it matters so deeply when athletes like Jocelyne Larocque, a proud Métis hockey player and Olympic gold medalist, are given the spotlight. When an Indigenous girl sees Larocque on the ice with Team Canada, it tells her: You belong here, too.

And when Quinn, a key midfielder on Canada’s Women’s National Soccer Team, plays openly as a non-binary and trans athlete, breaking ground as the first openly trans athlete to win an Olympic medal, it shows 2SLGBTQ+ youth that their identities don’t disqualify them from greatness. In fact, those identities are part of what makes their stories so vital.

These athletes don’t just break records, they bravely break barriers. But their impact can’t be fully felt unless their stories are told, consistently and completely.

What we can all do

You don’t need a press pass or a platform to help shift the narrative. You can follow women’s leagues. Amplify the voices of 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous athletes. Ask questions when coverage is missing. Support outlets and creators that prioritize inclusive storytelling.

At Girls Forward, we’re committed to amplifying voices that have been overlooked and creating space where every girl can feel seen, celebrated, and inspired.

Because from the stands to the starting line, every girl deserves to know that sport belongs to her, too.

Want to do more? Share this post. Follow a new-to-you women’s or 2SLGBTQ+ athlete. Support Indigenous-led sport initiatives. And keep asking: Who’s missing from the story, and how can I help bring them in?

This piece was written by Mikayla Bergér, Digital Content Coordinator at Girls Forward and Manager of Marketing for the Northern Super League. She’s passionate about storytelling, community, and creating space for every girl in sport. Connect with Mikayla here!

Have a story you want to share? Contact info@girlsforward.ca and it may get featured in our next blog.