The Girls Active day at Burntwood

 

The project works with girls aged 13-16 from Ark Putney Academy, Burntwood and Graveney Academy, providing the support they need to gain a sports qualification. The students can then deliver sport and exercise sessions to their peers.

Research shows that nationally teen girls aged 13-16 lose interest in sport and physical activity, and their participation is at an all-time low. Girls Active, run by Enable Leisure and Culture on behalf of Wandsworth Council with funding from the Wimbledon Project, aims to halt the fall and keep Wandsworth girls active.

Last week Burntwood Academy hosted a Girls Active Day to give girls a chance to sample a variety of sports and to find an activity that inspires them. Activities included  a tennis session from coaches at the All England Club, a boxercise session with a kickboxing champion, indoor rowing with a coach and a Zumba session with an aerobics teacher. Another Girls Active Day will be held at Ark Putney Academy soon.

The council’s sports and leisure spokesman Cllr Steffi Sutters said: “It can sometimes  be hard to persuade teenage girls to engage with sport and fitness, which is why we wanted to ensure our girls not only take part in physically activity, but enjoy it and share that enjoyment with others. So far the scheme has really delivered, and I look forward to seeing how it develops over the coming months.”