At a time when getting teenage girls to do activity is tough and the dropout rate across all sports by teenage girls is still high, The Girls Squad is doing amazing things in secondary schools.
In 2024 between September and November, over 3,500 teenage girls took part in The Girls Squad programme. Combining participation, metal health, wellbeing and education as well as leadership skills and confidence building, this programme has the unique ability to cater for self-proclaimed ‘sporty’ and ‘non-sporty’ girls alike.
The programme is teacher led and includes journals for the girls to explore and document their athletics journey as well as teacher resources and Girls Squad Merchandise for the teens. A HER Moves programme endorsed by Sport Ireland, the programme continues to spark the teachers and teens imagination and bring athletics to schools around the country in a meaningful and empowering way.
The aim of this programme is to introduce young girls to the sport of athletics and to a general fitness regime through a physical and educational athletics programme. This programme will explore elements of track and field such as throwing, running and jumping in a fun and sociable environment. The students will also further explore heathy lifestyle habits through healthy eating and positive health and wellbeing activities.
The programme includes.
- Basic athletics movement skills
- Yoga/Pilates
- Basic Strength and Conditioning
- Relays and Team Games
- Leadership, Communication and confidence development
The self-development journals have information for the girls developed by leading industry experts on periods, sports bra use, mental health and pelvic floor health. There are also sections in the programme looking at the Period Supportive HER Moves project.
What Support Do We Provide?
- Teacher Resource (weekly session plan and access to the on-line video resources)
- Student Journals
- Teacher Webinars at the start of the programme
- Social Media Toolkit
Why Take Part?
Athletics is a life-long sport and can make a significant impact on the girls. We hope that The Girls Squad will encourage schools to foster student ability and to encourage interest so that students will have a life-long interest in a sport by supporting the local athletic club, their local park run, becoming a coach or an official.
Programme Costs
If your school is a designated DEIS school or you can demonstrate, using the Pobal Deprivation Index, that the school is in an area of below average deprivation, this programme is heavily subsidised through Sport Ireland, Dormant Accounts Funding
Cost Per Student €1.50
Dormant Accounts Funding is a limited pot which means we can only take a certain number of schools. If we have more schools subscribe, we can offer you early sign up for the next round of programmes.
If your school is non-DEIS or not in an area of deprivation, the costs are as follows.
Cost Per Student €3.50
If cost is a significant barrier to taking part in the programme, please let us know and we can work on case by case basis.
Girls Squad Merchandise
Additional Girls Squad Merchandise can be purchased separately (beanies, buffs and T-Shirts) and will have a lead in time. A link will be sent out at the start of the programme for this.
Schools will receive a confirmation email before the end of May if they have been accepted onto the programme.
Interested?
If this programme is of interest to your school, please click on the link on the website. If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact Anna Grealish Women in Sport Lead, annagrealish@athleticsireland.ie
Join the Girls Squad Today – Promote Athletics in School and Community
