A fitness programme launched in Derbyshire to encourage girls to take up sport will be rolled out across the country this summer.
Since 2022, Big Sister sessions have been held at the William Gregg VC Leisure Centre in Heanor.
The centre was one of 11 leisure centres run by Places Leisure, which launched the project in partnership with the charity Women in Sport.
Girls aged nine to 15 can now take part in the courses, which are being rolled out at 100 locations across England.
The program helps girls try out different sports with the support of the “Big Sisters” stationed at the centers, Places Leisure said.
The sisters are peer leaders and supporters from sports, school and community organizations and are trained in the emotional and physical barriers girls face during adolescence.
Kim Douglas, a personal trainer who runs the session in Heanor, said she has been running the once-weekly sessions for the past two years.
“It’s pretty hard for girls to play sports,” she said. “They have problems, like physical problems and things like that, so we have to help them and help them feel comfortable and play sports.”
“We play dodgeball – basically anything that keeps them active. We’ve done soccer, pig in the middle, musical chairs, musical chairs with statues; the main thing seems to be dance aerobics; that’s what they really enjoy.”
“As soon as they’re 11, they can come to the gym, and many of the girls start with me when they’re nine – and they can’t wait until they’re 11 and can go to the gym.”
According to the Women in Sport study, six out of ten girls feel judged by others, which prevents them from being active.
Holly, 10, started sessions this summer on the recommendation of a friend.
“You can join in and do what you want, you can choose what you want to do,” Holly said. “And you just feel more comfortable than if you were doing it in front of so many older people.”
“It keeps you fit. It’s good to get out of the house and do something to keep you active. You feel proud of yourself after every class.”
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