St George’s Junior School is proud to announce the launch of Play On: A Girls’ Sport Summit, taking place on 1 June - a new initiative designed to address one of the most pressing challenges in youth sport today.

Research suggests that up to 70% of girls disengage from sport as they grow older. At St George’s, we believe that this is not simply a question of ability or opportunity, but of confidence - and that confidence is something that can and should be built early.

Play On has been developed as a proactive response: a professionally delivered, full-day summit experience focused on equipping girls at junior school age with the confidence, resilience, physical capability and leadership skills that underpin lifelong participation in sport in the years that matter most.

Launched by St George’s Junior School, the inaugural event will be hosted on site, bringing together pupils alongside girls from ten visiting state schools across the local community. Through a carefully structured programme of keynote speakers and a rotating carousel of four expert-led workshops, participants will experience a dynamic, high-energy day designed not just to encourage participation, but to build a genuine sense of belonging within sport.

The day will feature four core workshop themes, each designed to develop a different dimension of confidence:

Resilience and mindset – building the ability to overcome setbacks and work through change and challenge
Wellbeing and self-belief – exploring body confidence, emotions and identity in sport
Physical capability – developing strength, movement and confidence in physical performance
Leadership and communication – encouraging girls to get ahead, stay ahead, collaborate and inspire others

Workshops will be delivered in partnership with leading organisations including Sky Sports, Nike Sports Camps, Chelsea Football Club / Inspire Girls Football, and Charlotte Benson Fitness.

A dedicated sports media workshop led by Sky Sports professionals will give pupils the opportunity to take part in a live press conference-style experience, developing confidence in communication, teamwork and critical thinking - an example of the summit’s broader aim to expand how girls see their role within sport and beyond.

The summit will also feature keynote speakers including former England and British & Irish Lions rugby player Anthony Watson - a former St George’s pupil and current parent - and former England age-group hockey player Naomi Church, who will share their personal experiences of resilience, performance and identity.

Mrs Becky Waters, Director of Sport at St George’s Junior School, shared:

“Every day, we see the powerful impact sport has on young girls - the confidence it builds, the resilience it develops, and the sense of belonging it creates. Yet too often, that confidence begins to fade as girls grow older and face increasing pressures and self-doubt.
“Play On is about changing that story. It’s about giving girls the belief, the voice and the strength to stay in sport and to see themselves as capable, confident and unstoppable. If we can inspire that mindset early, we don’t just influence their participation in sport - we shape how they approach challenges, opportunities and their own potential for years to come.”

Headmaster Mr Dan Jameson added:

“Sport at St George’s has always been about character as much as competition. Play On reflects our commitment to ensuring that every girl learns to enjoy sport as much as they are capable, confident and empowered to remain active - not just in school, but for life.”

The day will be captured through professional filming and photography to create a lasting legacy and extend the impact of the initiative beyond the event itself.

Impact will be a central focus. Pupils will reflect on their experience through a structured ‘promise to self’ activity, capturing how their confidence and attitudes towards sport have shifted. These insights will help shape the future development of the initiative.

Play On is intended not as a one-off event, but as the beginning of a longer-term commitment. St George’s aims to develop the summit into an annual platform, leading the conversation around girls’ sport and confidence-building within the education sector and beyond.