Girls Active is a joint programme between the Health Services Executive North West, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, Youth Sport West and is aimed at teenage girls who are not currently participating in sport. The programme was initiated in 2003 and aims to increase the number of teenage girls involved in long-term regular physical activity through developing more supportive environments for teenage girls’ physical activity in schools.
The programme involves extra curricular physical activities for teenage girls which are:
- Recreational and Non Competitive
- Girls only
- Activities selected by the Girls
- Activities organised by the Girls
- At least 3 different activities throughout the year
- Links with the Social and Personal Health Education Programme
Examples of Activities include: Dance, Boxercise, Yoga, Tai Chi, Aerobics, Gym, Swimming, Circuits, Volleyball, Tae Bo, Martial Arts, Athletics, Badminton, Tag Rugby, Walking, Gymnastics.
Support for participating schools includes:
- Training for co-ordinating teachers to establish the programme
- School visits – girls and teachers
- Activity fests – opportunity to try a range of activities and other schools
- Support for girls to lead the programme
- Instructor database – developing a database of instructors willing to become involved in the programme
Currently there are 11 schools/centres involved in the programme:
- Ballinode Community College
- Corran College, Ballymote
- Grange Post Primary School
- Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone
- Ursuline College
- Mercy College
- Coláiste Muire, Ballymote
- St. Mary’s College, Ballisodare
- Coláiste Iascaigh, Easkey
- Youth Reach Sligo
- Sligo CTC
- Coola Post Primary School
- Sligo Grammar School
Good Practice in the Girls Active Programme:
- Developed from a consultation with girls (NWHB 2004)
- Involves the girls in choosing and organising their own activities
- Links with activities available in the community
- Caters for more diverse needs than traditional extra curricular sports.
- Uses the health promoting school model to
- Link with community
- Extra curricular activities which are inclusive
- Supportive Environment
- Links with SPHE
