A proud father was left stunned by his daughter when he found the letter she wrote to Santa - with an unusual Christmas request.

Ava Chaplain from Baildon, West Yorkshire told Father Christmas in a note, along with present requests, that she was sad that women were still held back by men, after she read about sexism in sport.

The little athlete sent a letter to Santa asking for equality after she was given a book to read on the history of women in sport.

Ava, 11, was writing out her Christmas wish list to send to the North Pole when she decided to write a separate letter.

According to Ava's dad Antony, her year six teacher gave her a book that she thought she would be interested in reading.

'I hate it Santa and I want it to stop': Little Ava wrote a note to Father Christmas after reading about sexism in sport

Ava told Father Christmas anyone who treats women differently is 'petty'. The youngster takes part in all sports at her school in West Yorkshire

He said: 'Her teacher was trying to encourage her to read more, she doesn't like to read as such.

'So they gave her this book about women in sport and it really registered with her.'

The letter asked Santa to treat men and women in sports equally, as the greatest female sports heroes have had to overcome obstacles because of their gender.

Ava wrote: 'I recently read a book about women who made history in sports and I found there to be a repetitive pattern in all the women.

'In my opinion, I think people who think women aren't as good as men and can't do what men can, are wrong.

'I recently read that all of them were not allowed to take part in a sport they loved just because of sexism.

'I want this all to stop because women are as good as men and from time-to-time we are better.

'If someone judges someone else on their sex then they are petty.'

Antony, from, posted the adorable letter on Twitter with the caption: 'Just watching SPOTY and have to share this.

'My daughter, 11, wrote this as her letter to Santa.

'Proud is not the word, sad she still feels like this in 2018.

'I love my girl.'

According to Antony, an account manager for catering company Brakes, it was his mother, Linda, who pointed out the special letter to him so he quickly scanned it before sending it off to Mr Claus.

Ava Chaplain, 11 with dad Antony and little sister Francesca watching a Nottingham Forest football gam

Ava Chaplain takes part in all sports at her school and was inspired by a book given to her by her teacher

Ava asked for Santa's help to eradicate sexism from sport because of the number of women who are unable to get the same chances as men

When he opened the letter and read what she had written he was in total shock.

He said: 'She did it off her own back. It knocked me a little bit for six.

'She basically just wants Santa to sort it out, that's all she wants for Christmas.'

Not only is Ava a huge fan of watching sports but she also has attempted nearly every sport available in her school including tag rugby, cross country and football.

Antony said: 'If the school does a sport, you name it, she has done it.'

He also added how much of an inspiration Ava is to her younger sister Francesca, seven.

'She is her biggest role model,' he added.