‘Safe, connected and have fun’: Girls-only sporting program hopes to increase physical activity

By Caitlyn Grant

Sep 8, 2022

Doing it with a smile: Year 8 student Yugirtha Sasikumar.

In a bid to remove barriers, Greater Shepparton Secondary College has set up a girls-only lunchtime physical activity program.

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Created in collaboration with Valley Sport and the Lighthouse Project, girls have been given the chance to come to a safe space and run, jump and skip to their heart’s content without feeling the pressure of co-educational classes.

“This time gives an opportunity to remove whatever barriers might be stopping them from participating during class,” Lighthouse Project project co-ordinator Bella Ainsworth said.

A study from the Australian Sports Commission showed 57 per cent of girls aged 13 to 17 were disengaged in sport, compared to 39 per cent of boys.

Valley Sport project officer Jacqui Napolitano said students had expressed that they tended to feel embarrassed or judged doing physical activity in front of their classes, so the sessions were about getting girls moving in a way that was fun.

“It’s just to get girls together, and in an environment they feel safe, can meet new people and increase physical activity,” she said.

The lunchtime program occurs every Thursday, with different activities each week and up to 60 students involved, and will run until the end of the school year.

“It's just a space where young females can feel safe, connected and have fun and be a bit silly,” Ms Ainsworth said.

“Some girls even take off their scarves on their head because it’s girls-only, which is really, really lovely.”