Team players — why we need to mix boys and girls in school-age sport 

Studies find allowing girls and boys to play team sports together provides advantages for both genders.

Sisters Aisling, Roisín and Caoimhe Power enjoy the soccer on the Green in Bishopstown organised by Cork City Council in association with the FAI and Cork Sports Partnership. Picture: Brian Lougheed

“Playing against girls is bad for the boys’ morale”. 

This was the response I received when I approached a local sports club about starting the new season with a mixed U7 team. “Mixing doesn’t work”.