The LTD model falls short for girls & women for a few reasons:

• Much of the sport-related research has been conducted with young adult white males. As a result, training programs are often inappropriate for female athletes.
• Curricula & programs are generally biased toward males.
• The dominant culture, which prioritizes the needs & experiences of white, middle-class, heterosexual & able-bodied individuals, is pervasive in sport, recreation & education, at the exclusion of all others.
• Leadership opportunities have typically favoured males in terms of design, valued competencies, established networks, experience, & career opportunities.

Psychosocial factors need to be acknowledged & addressed through both language, action & opportunities within sport & physical activity organizations at the community, provincial/territorial & national levels.

Those responsible for educating & coaching women & girls, across all stages of the LTD model, must be informed, educated & trained to identify & address the psycho-social factors in constructive ways. It is essential to improve educator & coach understanding of the psychosocial factors that contribute to the behaviour & participation of their female participants.

Also, the LTD model assumes smooth sailing between stages, when in fact there is an ongoing need to recruit, develop & retain women & girls in the sport & physical activity system across the lifespan. This includes the potential to re-recruit women in similar or other sport or physical activity related roles after a transition from one stage to another or after a hiatus from involvement. Creating more “on ramps” & “off ramps” in sport can build & maintain sport system capacity, & in particular ensure that women have opportunities for a lifetime’s involvement in sport & physical activity.