Devon and Cornwall set to get girls active

The ground breaking Youth Sport Trust Girls Active programme got underway in Cornwall on 2 October to help more girls across Devon and Cornwall to get involved in PE and sport.

Girls Active looks to tackle issues of lower participation, poor body image and a lack of understanding of the benefits of physical activity amongst girls. It does this by offering a simple and flexible framework to help teachers and girls work together to create a motivating PE and sport offer for all girls.

Delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, funded by Sport England and in partnership with Women in Sport, Girls Active recognises that girls' needs differ and change as they mature and that girls themselves are uniquely positioned to 'sell' PE and sport to other girls.

Teachers from 18 schools across Devon and Cornwall have received specialist training in implementing this programme. As a result of yesterday's training, these teachers will help girls improve their attitude towards PE and work with their school to make sport more relevant to their own lives. A 2014 Girls Active pilot saw the number of girls who look forward to their PE lessons nearly double - from 38% to 71%.

As a part of the programme, each school is charged with recruiting another  to deliver the principles of Girls Active as well as getting 150 of their own 11-14 year old girl students more active.

Youth Sport Trust Chief Executive Ali Oliver said: “The Youth Sport Trust is delighted to bring Girls Active to Penzance and launch it today with specialist teacher training. These sessions will provide teachers with the confidence and skill to deliver Girls Active and ultimately get more girls involved in PE and sport.

“Getting more girls into physical activity at an early age has the potential to create a healthier, happier and more productive society. Working with our partners Women in Sport and Sport England, we aim to get 100,000 girls across the country more active over the next three years..”

Camborne Science and International Academy Head of PE, Sport and Dance Fiona Stevenson said: “Girls Active is a great initiative and it is fantastic it has come to Devon and Cornwall because it will make a huge impact on girls in the area. This training will allow teachers to support girls to help them understand why and how they can be healthy and active in new and exciting ways. Through the teacher training, we will create new student leaders for Girls Active and help them promote PE and sport to all girls.”