At a time when getting teenage girls to do activity is tough and the dropout rate across all sports by teenage girls is still high, TheGirls Squad is doing amazing things in secondary schools.In 2024 between September and November, over 3500 teenage girls took part in The Girls Squad programme.
Combining participation, metal health, wellbeing and education as well as leadership skills and confidence building, this programme has the unique ability to cater for self-proclaimed ‘sporty’ and ‘non-sporty’ girls alike.The programme is teacher led and includes journals for the girls to explore and document their athletics journey as well as teacher resources and Girls Squad Merchandise for the teens. A HER Moves programme endorsed by Sport Ireland, the programme continues to spark the teachers and teens imagination and bring athletics to schools around the country in a meaningful and empowering way.The aim of this programme is to introduce young girls to the sport of athletics and to a general fitness regime through a physical and educational athletics programme. This programme will explore elements of track and field such as throwing, running and jumping in a fun and sociable environment. The students will also further explore heathy lifestyle habits through healthy eating and positive health and wellbeing activities.
The self-development journals have information for the girls developed by leading industry experts on periods, sports bra use, mental health and pelvic floor health. There are also sections in the programme looking at thePeriod Supportive HER Moves project.
Athletics is a life-long sport and can make a significant impact on the girls. We hope that The Girls Squad will encourage schools to foster student ability and to encourage interest so that students will have a life-long interest in aport by supporting the local athletic club, their local park run, becoming a coach or an official.
If this programme is of interest to your school, please sign up on the link on the website. If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact Anna Grealish Women in Sport Lead, annagrealish@athleticsireland.ie
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