Woodham Academy has teamed up with Sky Sports and the Youth Sport Trust to launch a female focussed sports initiative within the school. Girls Active aims to increase participation levels of girls in key stage three by providing more opportunities to get involved and peer support. Nationally, only a small number of girls meet the recommended levels of physical activity. This is due to a number of factors including self-confidence and peer pressure.  The Youth Sport Trust is a national charity that is building a brighter future for young people through PE and sport. Through 20 years of experience the charity has developed a unique way of maximising the power of sport to grow young people, schools and communities through the development of qualities including creativity, aspiration, resilience and empathy. Working in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust is Sky Sports through their Living For Sport programme. The programme utilises recognised sports stars and skills learnt through sport to build confidence and develop life skills with young people. 14 Year 9 students from the school will work with an athlete mentor to form the Girls Active team who will assist with generating ideas for activities and encouraging students to get involved. Former Great British Boxing Champion, Amanda Coulson, will be the mentor for Woodham Academy. Amanda will help motivate and inspire the students to become more physically active.  This includes hosting a project day, inviting all KS3 students to take part which will be promoted by the Girls Active team. On her appointment as a Sky Sports Living for Sport Athlete Mentor, Amanda commented: “I am honoured to be involved with an initiative as inspirational as Sky Sports Living for Sport. I want to motivate the young people I meet in schools to become involved in sport as I know the benefits it can reap. My story is a true example of how, with passion and determination, you can overcome obstacles in your life to make your dream come true.”
Amanda Coulson with girls wanting involvement in sport