Guernsey Women & Girls in Sport Strategy

Guernsey Women & Girls in Sport Strategy

AIM

To promote and improve opportunities for local women and girls of every ability in and through sport, with the aim of increasing the numbers of those participating and improving the excellence and enjoyment of that participation through the provision of quality wide-ranging sport and recreation programmes.

OBJECTIVE 1.

To raise the awareness in women and girls about the benefits of an active lifestyle, and to generate a more positive attitude to sport.

ACTIONS

  1. Encourage all secondary schools to either carry out or continue with the Health and Exercise Screening programme. This should be available to all Year 7 pupils, and eventually should become part of the schools’ schedules.
  2. Follow up the Health and Exercise Screening programme to encourage pathways and exit routes between programme participants and sports clubs.
  3. Promote the role of the Sports Development Unit as a friendly face – for an introduction into sports on the Island or for advice, ready to help women of all ages achieve their goals.
  4. Regular presentations to schools and youth organizations on the benefits of an active lifestyle in liaison with the Health Promotion Unit, Beau Sejour Leisure Centre fitness staff etc.
  5. Provide courses aimed at giving women and girls more confidence to participate in new activities and provide information about these activities.
  6. Display information on local clubs on school notice boards.
  7. Supply information and advice through Sports Commission website when it becomes operational.

OBJECTIVE 2.

To encourage schools to improve access for sporting opportunity for girls of school age and deliver an equitable range of opportunities and learning experiences.

ACTIONS

  1. Relax stringent kit policy for games in schools, and encourage students to develop their own kit.
  2. Change the policy on showering arrangements in schools, i.e. washing compulsory, showering optional.
  3. Change the negative association with school sport for girls – lack of choice, gender segregation and over-competitiveness.
  4. Seek to introduce pre-school, lunchtime, or after school fitness clubs which are non-competitive to take place at schools.
  5. Follow the National programme implemented as a result of the         Nike / Youth Sport Trust Girls in Sport partnership project.
  6. Approach local clubs re: girls-only taster sessions. Ensure that there are    pathways to follow should pupils wish to continue with a particular sport.

OBJECTIVE 3.

To encourage all women from school leaving age to take regular exercise and provide more opportunities for them to do so.

ACTIONS

  1. Promote women-only and women friendly exercise sessions to encourage women who do not already participate.
  2. Study timing of opportunities for exercise for women, and improve if necessary.
  3. Provide training for staff of organizations involved with women friendly sessions with the aim of improving comfort, atmosphere and ambience of sessions.
  4. Provide information to women of all ages as to the benefits of physical activity generally.
  5. Promote the existence of the Sports Development Unit as a means of reference and communication.
  6. Foster links with the health agencies to promote sport as part of a healthier lifestyle.
  7. Ensure that the planning, design and management of sporting organizations meets the needs of women in relation to childcare provision, accessibility, membership and participation, and seek to change if necessary.

OBJECTIVE 4.

To raise the profile of sporting achievements by women and girls.

ACTIONS

  1. Challenge instances of inequality in the media and seek to bring about change.
  2. Approach “Guernsey Now” magazine to run a feature on women in sport.
  3. Improve the female imagery in schools and other sporting organizations.
  4. Encourage sports governing bodies to appoint press / publicity officers to promote women’s sport.
  5. Set up a workshop with local newspaper editors to train publicity officers on presenting written pieces to the press for publication.

OBJECTIVE 5.

To encourage and support women in their personal and career development at all levels in coaching, officiating, administration and management.

ACTIONS

  1. Provide a workshop for coaches, ideally with a recognized qualification on completion.
  2. Hold periodical ‘careers evenings’ specifically aimed at women in sport.
  3. Consult with other agencies for guidance on advertising initiatives for women’s sporting career development.
  4. Encourage GCSE, A-level students and others to complete Junior Sports & Community Leader Award courses.

OBJECTIVE 6.

To enable women and girls with the sporting ability and interest to excel in all sports.

ACTIONS

  1. Continue through the Sports Development Fund to support high performance women athletes in their specific development and training needs.
  2. Ensure a raised profile of the Island’s top sportswomen by maintaining links with the media.