Norwich Union GirlsActive Programme

 

The Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership and Stafford Sports College has recently been designated a Regional Centre for GirlsActive and with the help of Dame Kelly Holmes held a Midlands road show for 150 girls on Thursday 13^th November.  

 

The Norwich Union GirlsActive Programme is designed to empower teenage girls to enjoy more activity on their own terms, making positive choices and being given a voice. It is also about enabling young people to make a positive contribution to their schools. Girls are challenged to develop ideas on what changes they would make in their own schools to make activity something they would want to participate in.

 

Dame Kelly Meets up with School Sports Ambassadors

 

During the day, held at Stafford Sports College, girls aged 13-16 were given the opportunity to take part in taster sessions in activities such as Hip Hop, Skateboarding, Indoor Rowing, Dance Mats, Kangoo Jumps, X Bikes, Salsa Dancing and Cheerleading.  Girls were challenged to work with their teachers to identify the issues surrounding girls' participation and they took the lead in addressing the issues and encouraging their school peers to become more active and to stay active.

Dame Kelly & GirlsActive Planning

Guest of honour for the day, Dame Kelly Holmes worked with the girls to plan changes for their schools.  Double Olympic Gold Winner Kelly also joined in many of the activities and even took time out to open the new Performing Arts Centre.

Partnership Development Manager Gina Wallis said, “It was a fantastic day but the real hard work starts now when the girls and their staff return to their schools.  We have challenged all schools to: -

1. Establish a GirlsActive committee in their schools
2. Create a GirlsActive notice board to promote and market activity for girls
3. Engage 100 girls or 10% of the school female population or to have a go at a new activity.”

Dawn Gibbs, School Sport Coordinator at King Edward VI High School, Stafford, who leads the project for the School Sport Partnership added, “We have invited all schools back to another event in the summer where we will be expecting these young people to share their actions and successes.” 

*Please note: resources are available in our website (www.staffordandstonessp.co.uk) to support schools in their development. 

For more details please contact Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership on 01785 259380.