Empowering girls through physical activity and positive father involvement: The ‘Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered’ program

Built on over a decade of rigorous research trials published in leading international journals, the University of Newcastle’s Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered program is an innovative, world-first program that makes life-changing impact by bringing together fathers/father-figures (e.g., stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, family friends) and their primary school-aged daughters to promote physical activity, enhance fundamental movement skills, improve well-being, strengthen the father-daughter bond, and advance gender equity. These important benefits have been sustained long-term (8 years post-program) with girls set on new life trajectories via improved psychological resources, positive father involvement and sports participation.

Over 7000 participants have experienced the Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered program’s profound multifaceted benefits. 5 sport-specific variations have been developed in partnership with peak sporting bodies with the program receiving global recognition and accolades for research excellence and benefitting society, including over 20 national and international awards and commendation by the World Health Organization.

Professor Morgan will present on the innovation, research and impact of the ‘Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered’ program. He will share key insights about the unique features of the program that have produced this life-changing impact with wide reaching implications for those seeking pathways to scale their research through to community sports coaches and teachers seeking to optimise sporting experiences for children.