The numerous Active Girls Day Events happening in the city included an event at Bridge of Don Academy. This saw P7- S2 girls from Balmedie Primary, Scotstown Primary, Braehead Primary and Bridge of Don Academy take part in the national day.

The all-girl groups took part in a series of taster sessions held by Bridge of Don School staff and coaches from community clubs including a healthy eating workshop, dance, football and So Yang Do classes.

The annual event, which is promoted by sportscotland, saw activities taking place across Scotland, celebrating the amazing work going into girls’ sport and the incredible role models making it happen.

Scottish Women & Girls in Sport week is coordinated by the Scottish Government and aims to raise awareness of increasing participation in sport and physical activity among women and girls.

A survey, undertaken by Aberdeen’s pioneering Active Girls Committee, formed with backing from Active Schools Aberdeen, found that nearly six out of ten Aberdeen secondary school girls don’t take part in sport because they feel self-conscious

The findings came from 412 responses to the Active Girls Committee Survey held in April this year, which aimed to find out the barriers facing girls’ participation in sport. The research found that the most common barriers to participation were:

Not wanting to do it on your own (68%)

Feeling self-conscious (58%)

Confidence (58%)

The Active Girls Committee was formed to help tackle these barriers and for the girls in the committee to be role models for their peers to help them become more active.

Active Girls Committee Chair, Aimee Work, said:

“The importance and impact which physical activity has is phenomenal. Many girls are dropping out of sport at a young age and it is the Active Girls Committee’s responsibility to promote the fact that it is socially acceptable for girls to participate in sport and physical activity.

“This day is of such importance as it is showing the power that girls have and will encourage girls to do sport and activity for fun. Within the committee we are really trying to promote the fun side of physical activity, and not just the physical benefits but also the mental. We have successfully got more girls participating in our clubs on offer as well as building up their confidence to take part in sport and make health and fitness a part of their lives.

“The Active Girls Day is a way of celebrating an important and fun part of our lives and hopefully it will get more and more Girls and young women across the country involved in sport and physical activity!”

Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen’s Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, added:

“Working together with governing bodies in Scotland provides us with a solid platform from which we can continue to inspire more girls to take up sport and physical activity in Aberdeen. 

“Identifying certain barriers and tackling these will help to increase the participation of girls in sport and will help to highlight the many benefits that come hand in hand with leading an active lifestyle.

“The Active Girls Day is a fantastic opportunity for our dedicated Active Schools team and community coaches to encourage more girls to try something new in a fun environment, whilst developing skills lifelong skills and meeting new people.”