A new NZOC programme is working to reduce a significant drop off in female sporting participation during teenage years.
Olympian #1196 Alexis Pritchard has been fronting the ‘Empowering girls in sport - the wellbeing series’ which has been visiting schools around the country and delivering a series of interactive sessions specifically for young women.
The project is designed to challenge the attitudes of young women towards sports and physical activity, with research showing there is a significant drop-off in female sporting participation in teenage years which has a negative impact on physical and mental health.
Pritchard says the programme has been really well received by students and schools.
“This programme really aims to show these young women how sport and movement can enrich their lives,” said Pritchard.
“Sport has made a huge difference to me personally, I’m a happier, healthier person because of sport and I really want to share that and hopefully inspire a few of these young women to stay involved in whatever sport they love.”
The wellbeing topics covered in the sessions include coping with female physical barriers to sport, better nutrition, mindfulness, female empowerment, participation, and life balance. In the session Pritchard shares her own stories of resilience, success, failure, and overcoming fears and doubts.
NZOC Education Manager Anna Ready says the project aims to make girls more aware of how to overcome the barriers that cause them to stop participating in sports and physical activity.
“We know that sport helps young women to feel positive and take more control of their lives so this programme is really about giving them the tools to make better, more informed decisions and show them how sport can have a really profound impact on wellbeing,” said Ready.
“Ultimately, the project aims to create happier, healthier young women who feel more confident about making positive decisions for themselves and who will lead more active and balanced lives.”
The programme is being directed by the New Zealand Olympic Committee and has been funded by the Commonwealth Games Federation.
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