From self-doubt to self-belief: how sport can tackle the youth confidence crisis

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 one in three 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 seven in ten 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.”

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 and 93% have seen more girls talking about or playing football

Teachers themselves report greater confidence in championing sport, including working with SEND pupils

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.

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.

Full Listen Up Report 2025 available here