Olympic rowing finalist Jess Eddie writes her latest exclusive column for The Northern Echo

LAWYERS, doctors, foreign diplomats, police detectives, bankers, business consultants, company directors, Army captain, prison officers, entrepreneurs, outstanding teachers, journalists, published authors, Chairman and Honorary President of British Rowing.

No this isn’t my CV (wish it was), but a snapshot of jobs past GB rowing team athletes now hold. At first glance you’d probably think it was from across the squad, they are all in fact held by women.

Now this isn’t a dig at the guys, or what they can achieve, but more of a big up to the girls. We need more girls in sport. Full stop.

Sport empowers girls and women. There is no doubt about it, you learn how to work in a team, under pressure, through difficult circumstances, how to get the most of out of each other, push others on, lead, learn new skills, the list is endless. This isn’t just applicable to my elite Olympic Rowing Team, but to any form of sport.

We need to empower young girls to go out there and get involved, it doesn’t have to be in a rowing boat. Pick up a football, netball, hockey stick, roller blades (do people still roller blade?), go for a run or a swim. Get out there and be active, and you’ll learn a whole lot more about yourself.

Now why am I banging on about jobs then I hear you ask?

Sport teaches us that there are no limits, we aspire to be the best we can be, to reach up and put ourselves on the line. Sometimes we fail, but that’s okay, at least we know how to do it better for next time.

These traits that are forged don’t suddenly go away when we put down our oars. They have become who we are, and the inspiring women that leave the team go on to great things. There is no limit for them, they have learnt how to reach for the sky and nobody can stop them doing the same in their new workplace.

If we teach our girls and young adults now the same things we learn in the rowing team, then wouldn’t we all be a lot better off? Women wouldn’t feel like they couldn’t apply for certain jobs, or go after new roles in society.

I truly believe sport has the power to do this. We need brilliant campaigns like Sport England’s “This Girl Can”, because there is a huge need for greater participation in sport and activity for women.

So instead of asking yourself ‘Why?’ think of the GB Women’s Rowing Team who most certainly ask, ‘Why not?’

* Follow Jess and Nathaniel on Twitter at @jesseddie and @nrodtweets