New insights reveal the power of sport to transform young people’s confidence – with Premier League Primary Stars showing the way forward
A growing confidence crisis is holding back a generation of young people – but sport could provide the breakthrough, according to new findings from Hark’s Listen Up Report 2025.
The report shows that 1 in 3 young people have little or no confidence, fundamentally affecting their ability to participate in sport, school, and wider life. Of those with low confidence, two-thirds don’t take part in clubs or activities, and 7 in 10 feel unable to speak to unfamiliar adults.
“Confidence shapes everything,” said Lindsey Bowler, Programme Manager at Hark Sport. “From how young people participate in school to how they imagine their futures. Too many are missing out, not because they lack potential, but because they don’t believe in themselves. Sport has the power to change that.”
Lindsey’s story: from self-doubt to self-belief
Lindsey experienced this challenge first-hand when she entered a martial arts dojang for the first time:
“I remember seeing the mats, the uniforms, and the belts – I had the drive to push through the sweat and the hard work, but mentally I didn’t feel like I belonged. It struck me that if I felt that way as an experienced runner, how much harder must it be for young people walking into sport for the very first time? That sense of not belonging can stop you before you even begin.”
Her personal experience mirrors what the data shows: when confidence is fragile, simply turning up can feel overwhelming. That’s why creating safe, supportive spaces is so critical to unlocking sport’s benefits.
Real-world impact: Premier League Primary Stars
The Premier League Primary Stars programme, supported by the Premier League Charitable Fund, demonstrates sport’s ability to build self-belief:
- 93% of teachers report a positive effect on pupils’ confidence and self-esteem
- 93% have seen more girls talking about or playing football
- Teachers themselves report greater confidence in championing sport, including working with SEND pupils
One teacher commented: “Girls’ participation has increased, with us seeing more girls doing after-school clubs and joining teams outside of school. Some have even gone on to play for district teams since getting involved.”
Four stepping stones to confidence through sport
Hark has identified four proven ways to harness sport’s unique power to build lasting confidence:
- Positive, relatable role models – from professional players to everyday coaches who reflect young people’s lived experiences.
- Safe, supportive environments – where trying, failing, and trying again is celebrated.
- Celebrating progress over perfection – building resilience and growth mindsets.
- Confidence that extends beyond sport – helping young people find their voice in classrooms, friendships, and future careers.
Master Kate Malyon, one of the UK’s highest-ranked Tang Soo Do instructors, added: “When building confidence, it’s not about one big ‘wow’ moment – it’s about small, incremental wins that begin to change how young people see themselves.”
A call to action
Hark is urging schools, clubs, and organisations to invest in sport as a vehicle for confidence building. With evidence mounting that self-belief underpins academic, social, and professional success, the need to act has never been clearer.
“For the next girl who walks into the dojang and hesitates to step onto the mat, we want to be the face that tells her: you belong too,” added Bowler.
