After successfully securing additional funding from Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP), the Us Girls project continues to run sessions in Newton Aycliffe.
Since the project first started, over 75 young females have participated in regular physical activity, with an average of 10 young females attending each session.
The sessions are held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre on a Monday evening, 7pm till 8.30pm. The group meet on the top floor in the bar/lounge and spend half an hour catching up with each other, discussing social and emotional issues and planning their next trip. They then head to the sports hall for an hour of activities. The session costs 50p and is payable to the coaches on arrival.
The US Girls project is youth led, so the girls decide which activities are delivered each week, activities are usually fun and informal, while the coaches help the girls develop new skills. The project delivers a wide range of activities to engage more girls into sport and physical activity.
There are also many incentives offered for those attending, there are free gifts such as water bottles, t-shirts and hoodies for regular attendance, along with rewards and trips during school holidays.
Laura Langdale, US Girls pastoral support and coach said: “This term has seen us follow the Winter Olympics, we adapted winter sports to be suitable for play in the sports hall, and we looked at countries and teams participating and made our own little competition. Following on from that the girls have had some more relaxed sessions with dodge ball, capture the flag and spent time shooting hoops. If you like a certain sport, we always say let us know and we can give it a go.”
A group of girls from the project are also hoping to be successful at an up and coming Key Fund panel to secure additional funding.
If you have any questions pop along on the night and speak to Laura or you can contact Sarah Price at the office on 01388 722317. Find us on Facebook ‘Usgirls Sedgefield’
