MVP WINNER
Raeanne Fletcher and
The Windsor Elementary School

GIRLS IN MOTION

Since September, girls in grades 4-6 from Windsor Elementary School have been participating in an all girls club. The group meets once a week and involves different activities, including sports, cooperative games, leadership activities and crafts. We also take walking trips to different facilities in the community, like visiting the local fitness center as well as a local theatre production company, Mermaid Theatre. In addition to myself, and another teacher from the school, we have many different leaders and facilitators coming to our school to instruct, interact with and help these girls with many different life, sport and social skills. We have had yoga instruction and will have guests to instruct soccer, basketball, square dancing and other various sports.

The original purpose for starting this group was to create a safe, comfortable environment where girls in the school could be active, participate in sport and other activities while beginning to create a sense of belonging and promote their self confidence and leadership abilities. The first weeks have involved activities of interest to the girls that we felt would start to create a sense of “community” in the group. The group’s activities will progress to involve more leadership type interaction and instruction. We are trying to involve the girls in a variety of activities that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in. Outside of becoming part of an active, positive group of people, ideally, each girl will find something of interest they may choose to pursue.

Sometimes, girls are intimidated to participate or become involved and use their voices, especially in sport or active games, for various reasons. We are trying to provide a setting where these girls will feel confident, are interested, and will eventually find confidence through their abilities and interests.

My hope is that once they gain this confidence, it will extend into other areas of their lives and they can use it in school, at home to achieve goals they have set for themselves.

I am very concerned with the activity levels and the health of our youth. I believe that by promoting healthy living, positive interaction with others and trying to help their self confidence and concept grow, “Girls in Motion” can make a difference in their lives. I hope they will realize that taking care of themselves is important and being a positive, strong member of society is up to them.

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity contact us