Highland Council gets Fit for Girls funding
The fitness of secondary school aged girls in the Highlands is set to improve with the introduction of a ‘Fit for Girls’ programme.
Members of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee have accepted a £21,000 funding package from the Youth Sport Trust, sportscotland and the Scottish Government to roll out the national ‘Fit for Girls’ programme over the next three years.
The funding will be used to raise awareness of girls’ issues in sport and to provide advice, funding and support to a range of Council staff. The funding injections will be targeted at Education, Culture and Sport staff to increase and improve girls’ participation in P.E., physical activity and sport.
Each of the Highland Council’s 29 secondary schools and the Drummond Special Educational Needs school participating in the ‘ Fit for Girls’ training will receive a one-off payment from the Youth Sport Trust of £700 following training for staff and completion of an action plan.
The funding will be used to purchase new equipment, provide facility improvements or continuous professional development training for school staff to enable them to deliver ‘Fit for Girls’.
Highland Youth Convener, Catriona Burns said: “It’s good to know that schools in Highland will have the opportunity to start this programme. It will hopefully give girls a better variety of sports options in P.E.”
Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service said: “Although many young girls are already highly active in sport throughout the Highlands, this funding is a welcome boost which will help staff to encourage those who perhaps shy away from participation.
“We want to give all our young people the best possible opportunities to adopt healthy and active lifestyle habits especially in their teenage years at secondary school.”
-ends-
For further information please contact: Graham Watson, Highland Council’s Community Development Manager tel: (01463) 702050