Smile More? Why Girls Are Leaving Sport Too Soon

Why are so many young girls dropping out of sport—and what can we do to stop it?In this candid episode, Emma opens up about what it’s really like to grow up as a girl in the world of competitive sport. From being told to “smile more” on the ice to having her achievements reduced to comments on her appearance, Emma shares her personal experiences of gender bias, burnout, and the invisible pressures that female athletes face every day.Alongside Ryan, they explore the social and systemic reasons behind the high dropout rate in girls’ sports, the importance of supportive coaching, and the role of women in leadership and visibility—from Curling Canada to the NHL.If you’re a coach, parent, or young athlete, this episode is an essential listen on how we can build a more equal, empowering future for girls in sport.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Why This Topic Matters00:42 – Growing Up in Sport as a Girl01:53 – Coaching Girls vs. Coaching Boys03:15 – Emma’s Early Experiences with Criticism04:30 – “Smile More”: The Gendered Feedback Gap06:07 – Going Viral for Pushing Back07:12 – Media Bias: Appearance Over Achievement08:52 – Social Media Comments & Gendered Narratives10:56 – Abuse & Anxiety in the Spotlight12:42 – The Impact of Online Criticism on Young Girls13:34 – Why Fewer Parents Encourage Girls to Compete14:14 – Sacrifice, Social Struggles & Isolation15:36 – The Dropout Rate: 1 in 3 Girls Leave Sport16:35 – Sport Builds Confidence, Leadership, and Life Skills17:51 – Emma on Learning Resilience Through Sport18:49 – The Investment Gap & Lack of Opportunity20:01 – The Rise of the PWHL & Community Support21:37 – Curling's Progress Toward Equal Pay22:58 – Revenue, ROI & Changing the Conversation23:55 – Cultural Shifts in Women’s Sport (WNBA, PWHL, NCAA)25:29 – Why Strength Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story26:56 – Playing Men's Teams: What It Reveals28:12 – The Power of Representation in Coaching & Leadership29:29 – Why More Women in Leadership Matters31:17 – Cathy Henderson, Curling Canada & Hockey Canada33:30 – Emma’s Message to Young Girls in Sport34:32 – The Friendship, Growth & Rewards Sport Can Offer36:06 – Closing Advice: If You Love It, Keep GoingFrom grassroots to greatness, hosts Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves dive into the world of youth and competitive sports, on and off the ice. With honest, insightful conversations, they explore coaching, performance, mental health, parenting, and the real-life stories that shape athletes at every level.Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or passionate fan, Ringside brings you closer to the moments that matter—from the first team practice to the world stage.Follow Rinkside PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rinksidepodcast/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6tBBhYO6q3u8IyQVOrk9C0?si=37408da8ea704f2e&nd=1&dlsi=7391af3161294056Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rinkside/id1796037246