AN innovative project aimed at encouraging secondary school girls to become more active is being launched by Edinburgh Council today.
The first Girls Day Out conference has been organised by the council’s Active Schools team and aims to inspire, encourage and support girls to become more active, raise the profile of successful girls and their achievements and educate girls on the power of sport.
The event, which has been organised in partnership with Youth Scotland and sportscotland, will involve more than 150 girls from S1 to S5 year groups across the city who will gather at Wester Hailes Education Centre, from 10am until 2pm.
Those attending will hear from inspiring female role-models and attend workshops including nutrition, mental wellbeing and alternative physical activity sessions including jump rope, trampolining and PiYo which is a a cross between Pilates and Yoga.
Councillor Cathy Fullerton, Edinburgh’s Vice Convener for Education, Children and Families said: “Often girls give up sport when they start high school so Girls Day Out is a great way to encourage them to become more active and discover the different and fun ways to achieve this.
“I am sure that the great programme of activities at Wester Hailes will show the girls the benefits of taking part in PE, sport and physical activity.”
Stewart Harris, chief executive of national sports agency sportscotland, said: “Our aim with Active Girls is to work with our partners to increase participation in PE, sport and physical activity among girls and young women.
“Girls Day Out is a terrific way for schools, clubs and hubs to showcase the opportunities available both locally and nationally.
“The Active Schools team here in Edinburgh has put together a very comprehensive and innovative programme to highlight the benefits of an active lifestyle in a fun and interactive way. I’m sure it will be a great success.”
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