Girls get active
Around 60 Year 9 girls from four Guernsey secondary schools took part in a day of fun sport and physical activity as part of the Guernsey Sports Commission’s Girls Get Active convention.
‘There’s a wealth of evidence that shows that teenage girls are disengaging with sport and physical activity,’ said Nicky Will from the Commission.
‘There are lots of reasons for this including self-belief, capability and body image and yet we know that being active and taking part in sport has a positive impact on both mental and physical health.
She hoped that the event today would encourage girls to think about sport and keeping fit in a more positive way.
They took part in activities led by inspirational female coaches including boxing, dance, cricket, yoga, home workouts and strength and conditioning exercises using netballs.
‘Thanks to our amazing sponsors, Sovereign Group, Investec, Ogier and the Sarah Groves Foundation we were able to provide all the girls who attended with a goody bag to take home with some skincare treats and a set of exercise bands which they can use to workout at home,’ said Nicky.
Lunch and healthy snacks were provided by The Raw Store.
There was also a group session exploring how the girls feel about physical activity and what they feel are some of the barriers to them taking part in sport.
This information can inform what the Commission might be able to offer in secondary schools by way of alternative options for PE or after school clubs.
The Girls Get Active convention forms part of the Guernsey Sports Commission’s response to the Active 8 Plan for Sport, the States’ sports strategy.
‘Tackling some of the more “hard to reach” groups such as teenage girls who may have disengaged from sport and physical activity is a key part of delivering on the overarching objectives of the plan,’ said Nicky.
‘The more people we can get more active, more often, the better.’
