A PROGRAMME was launched on the Northside recently which aims to combat a fall off in young girls’ interest in sporting activities.
Fingal Sports Office’s Exercise Energise Multi-Sports Day was launched on September 24 at the National Indoor Athletics Arena.
A total of 300 girls from eight post-primary schools across Fingal attended the Multi-Sports Day.
The girls were given the opportunity to try out various activities such as Zumba strong, gymnastics, circuit training and Athletics (both track & field) under the guidance of accredited coaches from the National Sports Campus.
The 2018 Women’s World Boxing Champion Kellie Harrington, from the north inner city, the perfect role model for the youngsters, was among those who attended the event.
Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien and Fingal County Council Senior Executive Officer, Íde De Bairtiseil, were also in attendance.
The Exercise: Energise Multi-Sports Day is held during the European Week of Sport every year and is part of Fingal’s Sports Office’s initiatives under the Federation of Irish Sport’s 20X20 campaign.
This year saw an increase in participation from last year’s attendance.
The programme is aimed mainly at girls aged between 12-15 years (first or second years) who are not currently involved in sport or physical activity.
The primary objective of the programme is to help combat the drop off from sport among this age group. The activities are mainly taking place at lunchtime and after-school.
The girls are involved in selecting the activity and this has proven to be successful with over 30 girls participating in each school.
The activities range from judo, martial arts, dance, Futsal, basketball, hip-hop, Zumba and gym work.
Mayor O’Brien said he was delighted to see an emphasis on sports for those who are not currently involved in sport or physical activity.
“Sport plays an important role in the lives of young people and I hope after taking part in the Exercise Energise Multi-Sports Day many of the participants will choose to make sport a regular activity in their lives,” he said.