A local project aimed at engaging girls aged 13+ into sport activities has received national recognition at a recent awards ceremony.
The Us Girls project was shortlisted for two Street Games National Awards – Us Girls Project of the Year and Young Coach of the Year (Kelly Howe).
Unfortunately, the project did not win an award; however, as it was shortlisted it received recognition as being in the top three in Great Britain.
Us Girls is a physical activity programme for girls delivered by Sedgefield School Sport Partnership. The project currently has sessions running in Newton Aycliffe, funded by the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) and delivers a wide range of activities to engage more girls into sport.
Around 50 girls are currently participating in regular physical activity, who would never have done so before. Clubs have been running as afterschool sessions at Woodam Academy and Greenfield School – these will start again in September. A club on Monday evenings (7:00pm – 8:30pm) is currently running at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.
The girls are able to socialise, get fit and have fun with their friends in a relaxed environment, which allows them to attend the club week after week. All the clubs are youth led, so the girls get to decide which activities are delivered each week and also receive rewards and regular trips and festivals for their dedication and participation at their club.
Sessions delivered include; multi-sports including dodgeball, benchball, rounders, netball and volleyball. Durham Wildcats have also delivered coaching sessions and also given the girls an opportunity to attend a Durham Wildcats basketball match at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre
Kelly Howe, Us Girls Coach, said: ‘Sedgefield School Sport Partnership is about providing high quality sport opportunities within schools and in the community, the Us Girls programme is about engaging girls into sporting activities that they would not normally do in a formal environment’. ‘The Club runs along the lines of Fun, Fitness & Friends.’
If you would like to attend any of the sessions, please contact Us Girls Coach Kelly Howe via: Email: kellyhowe@sedgefieldssp.org.uk Office: (01388) 722317 or Mobile: 07930 316310
