How Kylie Kelce’s Dove initiative is helping young girls build body confidence and stay in sports as 45% quit by age 14
Kylie Kelce has joined hands with Dove to support its Body Confident Sport program, which aims to help girls between the ages of 11 and 17 build confidence and continue playing sports. Her work with Dove also became part of a wider effort in 2026 when the brand launched its Back Her Game campaign. The nationwide contest aims to give one girls’ sports team the chance to travel to Brazil and attend a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 match. In August 2025, Jason shared an ESPN post about his wife’s efforts to help young girls build body confidence through sports. Their Team 62 Sea Isle activities raised more than $1.26 million for the foundation in 2026.
Because she has experienced sports from both sides, kylie is a fitting person to speak about this issue. Because of body dissatisfaction, research shared by Dove says that 45% of girls quit sports by the age of 14. Because they feel uncomfortable with their appearance, this means many girls are walking away from something they once enjoyed.
For many young girls, sports are about much more than winning games, learning new skills, or competing with others. They offer a chance to make friends, discover their strengths, learn teamwork, and build confidence that can stay with them long after they leave the field. However, body image concerns and comments about their appearance can sometimes take away from that experience, making girls feel uncomfortable or question whether they belong in sports. Kylie Kelce wants to help change that. The former field hockey player and wife of NFL star Jason Kelce is using her experience as an athlete, coach, and mother of four to encourage young girls to feel comfortable and confident in their own bodies. Through her partnership with Dove, she is reminding girls that their bodies should be celebrated for what they can do rather than judged for how they look. Her message has also received support from Jason, bringing even more attention to an issue that goes beyond sports and affects girls as they grow up. The program was developed by Dove and Nike and offers free coaching resources to help create a more positive environment for young female athletes. The message behind the initiative is simple. Girls should not feel pressured to have a certain body shape or appearance to take part in sports. They should be encouraged to focus on their abilities, strength, skills, and the things they can achieve through practice. She played Division I field hockey at Cabrini University before becoming a coach. Her time on the field helped her understand how much confidence can affect a young athlete, and she now wants to make sure other girls receive the support they need. Kylie is the campaign’s named partner and public voice, helping bring more attention to opportunities for young female athletes. There is a worrying reason behind Kylie’s efforts. Kylie understands why this matters. During her own college field hockey career, she received comments about her body. Those experiences made her realise how easily outside opinions can affect the confidence of young athletes. Now, as a mother of four daughters, she wants to make sure girls grow up with a healthier view of themselves. She believes they should learn to appreciate their bodies for what they allow them to do instead of worrying about whether they look a certain way. This message is also important for coaches and parents. Young girls often pay close attention to the words used by adults around them. A negative comment about their appearance can stay with them long after a game or practice has ended. Kylie wants to encourage adults to use positive language and create an environment where every girl feels welcome. Through Body Confident Sport, coaches receive guidance on how to talk to young athletes, support their confidence, and help them enjoy playing without feeling judged. he has publicly shown that he supports Kylie’s work Although Jason Kelce is not an official partner or leader of Dove’s Body Confident Sport program. He added a short message praising her, writing, “Sports build character, way to go Ky! His response showed that he was proud of the work Kylie was doing and wanted to give it more attention. However, it is important to make the distinction that Kylie is the person leading the Dove partnership, while Jason’s involvement has been one of public encouragement rather than direct participation in the program. Jason has also been involved in other charitable efforts. The former Philadelphia Eagles center and his wife have supported the Eagles Autism Foundation through fundraising events and community activities. The foundation works to support people with autism and their families through research, care, and community programs. Jason’s involvement in these efforts reflects his continued connection to the Philadelphia Eagles community even after stepping away from professional football. For Kylie, helping young girls feel confident is about giving them something that can stay with them long after they leave the sports field. She wants them to grow up knowing that they do not need to change their appearance to feel accepted or become successful athletes. Her work also brings attention to a problem that parents, schools, and sports coaches cannot afford to ignore. Girls should have the chance to enjoy sports without worrying about comments on their bodies or comparing themselves with others. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Jason, meanwhile, has used his public platform to support his wife’s work and has remained involved in charitable activities through the Eagles Autism Foundation. both have found ways to give back to their communities Although their efforts focus on different causes. Their story is a reminder that athletes and their families can make a difference outside professional sports. Sometimes, helping the next generation starts with something as simple as making a young girl feel that she belongs on the field. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.