Biggest numbers to date at annual Girls Active Activity Festival
The annual Girls Active Activity Festival took place 7th March with over 200 young women from across county Sligo arriving at the IT Sligo Knocknarea Arena to participate in a range of activities including Yoga, Dance, Gym, Spinning, Boxing, Soccer, Indoor Rowing, HIIT Class, Archery, Rugby and Martial Arts. There was a very positive atmosphere at the festival as the girls celebrated their year long participation in the girls only ‘Girls Active’ Programme in their schools.
Girls Active, a joint programme between the Health Services Executive and Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, is currently running in 13 secondary schools and training centres throughout County Sligo. It aims to increase the number of teenage girls involved in long-term regular physical activity through the provision of non-competitive extra-curricular activities in schools, while developing more supportive environments. The programme takes the emphasis off competition in sport, which can sometimes be off putting for girls, and places a greater emphasis on the social and health benefits of being physically active, while offering opportunities to try out different ways to get active such as yoga, dance, boxercise etc.
Kate Frahill Support co-ordinator for the Girls Active Programme “the programme has being extremely successful this year with over 300 girls participating in activities”. The success of the programme comes down to the Girls Active Co-ordinating teacher based in each school. They volunteer their time to organise programmes and encourage the girls to participate each week.
Third Year Health Science students from IT Sligo assisted at the Girls Active Activity Festival. They volunteer each year to help deliver activities and be group leaders, making the day an enjoyable experience for all those attending. If you would like any information on the Girls Active programme please contact Theresa Kilgannon at Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership at 0719161511 Email: theresa@sligosportandrecreation.ie or check out www.sligosportandrecreation.ie.
