Encouraging more girls into sport

A £300,000 fund to encourage more women and girls to get involved in sport has been awarded to 14 projects on Active Girls Day by Sports Minister Aileen Campbell.

From wheelchair basketball in Glasgow, judo in Fife and bikepacking adventures in the Highlands, the projects will tackle the barriers that lead to historically lower levels of physical activity among girls than boys.

Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week runs from 1 to 8 October. Friday 6 October is Active Girls Day.   

Speaking at Scottish Women Warriors Wheelchair Basketball Club in Glasgow, Sports Minister Aileen Campbell said:

“I have seen some great work as part of Scotland’s first ever Women and Girls in Sport Week this week. From athletics training with athlete Eilish McColgan in Perthshire to wheelchair basketball in Glasgow, there are more ways than ever for women and girls to get active.

“It is still clear, however, that many women and girls face still face additional barriers when it comes to getting involved in sport. As a government, we recognise that further action is required and that is why I am pleased to announce the 14 projects that will work to tackle this long-standing challenge.

“Congratulations to those who have been successful. I am sure they will build on the excellent work I have already seen during the week and help to transform opportunities for women and girls all over Scotland.”

Debbie Lye, Spirit of 2012 Chief Executive, said:

“Spirit of 2012 is absolutely committed to helping remove the barriers that stop many women participating in physical activity. The opportunity to manage the Sporting Equality Fund with such a wide range of fantastic organisations is particularly exciting and we look forward to seeing as many women as possible getting active as a result.”

Background

Spirit 2012 has been delivering the £1million Legacy 2014 Physical Activity Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government and have a clear track record of delivery, learning and support of organisations that look to engage and retain the least active.  The Funded projects have demonstrated the use of the Legacy 2014 Thrive Toolkit and learning resource to deliver their proposed activites.

Please see attachment for a full list of projects.