DH not interested in DD’s sport

His reason is that he’s no interest in gymnastics so why would he go.

Her interpretation is that he’s no interest in her so why would he go.

Its not about HIM. It's about supporting and encouraging his daughter.

YANBU but it sounds like you've told him and he doesn't give a shit. So there isn't much you can do about it other than to let your DD know that your DH is a selfish arsehole so she has a hook to hang her disappointment on that isn't about her not being good enough.

Thats a lame reason not to take an interedt in his childs life.
I can't think of anything more boring that football, its so dull and repetitive and I don't like standing around in the cold at all. But I do because my kid loves it, and I'm excited for him and I ask questions and pay attention and cheer and remember the other kids names so I can talk with him about it because it matters to him and he matters to me.

He should take an interest in what is important to his daughter, especially if he takes that interest in his son, before he misses his chance and she knows for sure that her dad doesn't care about her. She is even holding open a door asking him to still be part of her world and he is still ignoring it.

The sport is irrelevant. Spending time with his child and supporting her in her endeavours is what is important. Something similar happens in my household but I am very clear about where my priorities are; he does not have those same priorities. I have said that to him, we have talked about it, but now it’s on him. My kids know they are a priority to me and I have a good relationship with them. He suffers the consequences of his choices. Ideal for the kids? No. Some people just are a bit shit. Does it impact on our family life? Yes, but is only a small part of other things and a bigger picture of how that is playing out. Talk to him; and then figure out what kind of man you are married to and then decide what you do with that information/ how you live with that.

This is sadly common.

many friends and acquaintances split hobbies down gender lines. Dad takes boy to football and boy things, mum takes girl to dance and girl things.

i think it’s sad. It shows how ingrained gender roles are, and how they’re reinforced.

tell him to go watch the gymnastics and stop being so sexist. Gymnastics is way better than football anyway. You sit in the warm indoors, there’s usually a cafe. He might learn something.

“His reason is that he’s no interest in gymnastics so why would he go.”

Because she’s his daughter? You’re not asking him to attend some random event, she’s in it! He should 100% go.

I am a sports psychologist.
initially when beginning my degree I planned to study the psychology of performance.
However, halfway through my first year we studied gender equality (or the horrific lack thereof) in sports, and since then it has been my speciality.
Girls and women have never been treated fairly in sports and although there are strides in the right direction with things like an increase in popularity of women’s football there is a long way to go, not necessarily because women’s sports don’t exist, or that women don’t want to play, but because society doesn’t take them seriously and doesn’t see them as important as male sports.

Whether he knows it consciously or not your DH is reinforcing this in your DD. As others have said it’s not about whether he likes gymnastics. If DD played football would he stay and watch?
of not, why not?
And if he would, why is football a more valid sport than gymnastics?
I don’t know your DH but I suspect the answer lies in deep rooted gender stereotypes and it’s something your DD will never forget, or forgive.

Please talk seriously with your DH
Please tell him not to be one of the reasons your DD gives up, because she’s being taught that her sport isn’t interesting or important enough to warrant her fathers time.

Oh my gosh - I read this and it panged my heart. I had this as a child/adolescent whereby my Father only appeared to listen or take interest in my brothers sport or chit chat etc In my early 20's I wrote him a letter trying to explain my feelings. He responded by ignoring it and telling my Mother it was "a load of emotional hogwash" - I'm in my 60's we haven't spoken for nearly 20yrs

I had a similar experience with my dad in that he would only spend time with me if he was interested in whatever it was. Like I'd ask him to go to the cinema and it'd have to be a film he liked. I started to like a certain genre of music just because he did and then we'd spend time together. We're no contact now for a variety of reasons but his complete lack of interest in me is one of the biggest.

It’s not about his interest in gymnastics, it’s about his interest in his daughter and his sexism is loud and clear.

id tell him firmly to get his head out his arse and start supporting his daughter. I’d be very disappointed in him as a father and husband

He is showing his daughter that he has no interest in her. She won’t ever forget.

Even though my dd is nearly 20, dh still drives her occasionally so he can hear everything she has to say.