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Original poster

dd wishes she was more sporty

138 replies

CosyRubyDreamer · 06/03/2025 06:05

dd (16) is bad at all sports (her words, not mine). Her coordination and physical stamina isn't the best and as a kid she hated doing sports. However she seems to click with sporty people in terms of personality everywhere. She is energetic and very playful. Her best friends are academic like her but way more quiet and serious. She is friendly with the sporty group at school and has so much fun with them but its hard to get closer as they all are in team sports together. Am at a lost

OP posts:
N27 · 06/03/2025 06:38

Me and my daughter are non sporty people and I remember how it made me feel at school so we did couch to 5k together and now do parkrun on Saturday mornings I think that might be a good place for her to start?

TickingAlongNicely · 06/03/2025 06:37

A rugby team would take a complete rookie.
Any canoeing clubs... again happy for a newbie to join.
Climbing can be a great social one.

1AngelicFruitCake · 06/03/2025 06:35

It's a shame she gave up swimming when she was so young. Sounds like she just needed lots more practise at it. Could she start swimming and build that up? Could you go with her to encourage her? Then rowing club could be an option.

Wherehas2023gone · 06/03/2025 06:34

How about martial arts? Locally to me they have groups of mixed ability and ages so someone starting in their teens would not be unusual. It’s great for fitness and coordination and you can progress at your own speed.

Dueanamechange2025 · 06/03/2025 06:33

At 16 she can probably join woman’s teams. Locally we have netball and rounders teams asking for new members all the time, they all advertise as no experience requires and that all abilities are welcome to take part. Maybe look for something like that?

Original poster
CosyRubyDreamer · 06/03/2025 06:31

CrunchySnow · 06/03/2025 06:28

Why did she stop swimming at age 7 if she couldn't swim properly? I'd be looking at open days at local sports clubs and encourage her to have a trial

She couldn't swim at her peers' speed but can swim. She just didn't progress and at the time she didn't have a preference, and I would rather her focus on playing the piano. But when she became a teen she started to hate the piano so she doesn't play anymore.

OP posts:
StamppotAndGravy · 06/03/2025 06:29

There are loads of sports you can join as an adult beginner. I hated hockey and netball at school so always assumed I was unsporty. As an adult I've competed in running, triathlon, rowing, kayak polo, and enjoyed doing climbing, pilates, slalom skiing, lifting and dancing. If she doesn't do a sport, she'll never be sporty. She doesn't have to be the best, just do it.

CrunchySnow · 06/03/2025 06:28

Why did she stop swimming at age 7 if she couldn't swim properly? I'd be looking at open days at local sports clubs and encourage her to have a trial

Original poster
CosyRubyDreamer · 06/03/2025 06:23

OxfordInkling · 06/03/2025 06:21

What sports does she do? Does she like team sports or prefer individual?

She doesnt do any except for at school as there is nothing that she can really join at her age as a rookie. She likes team sports. The group she is friends with are rowers/ play footy.

OP posts:
OxfordInkling · 06/03/2025 06:21

What sports does she do? Does she like team sports or prefer individual?

Original poster
CosyRubyDreamer · 06/03/2025 06:20

She never formally did sports except for swimming when very young (think age 4-7) and she still can't swim properly. She was never interested in sports until the past 3 years where she found that she gels with the sporty people best.

OP posts:
Onlyvisiting · 06/03/2025 06:10

How much work has she put into sports? Of course some people will ve more naturally talented but pretty sure the best are the people who are willing to work hard training and improving themselves and stick at it, if she is only really interested in the social side of it and expects to be able to just walk straight into something and be naturally skilled at it then it's not surprising she might find it hard to do well.
And what has she tried? What about sth like D of E, or ten tors (if they have anything similar in your area), ie something outside of school.

verycloakanddaggers · 06/03/2025 06:10

She can get better at sports through practice and participation.

Which sport would she like to try?

The most expensive route would be some 1-1 coaching, but clubs would be fine. Help her research what there is nearby and encourage her to join something.

Encourage her to try. Most sports people are 10% talent, 90% effort so she could improve a lot with practice.

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