Participating in sport and physical activity provides multiple benefits for physical and mental health, and for potential quality of life. However, women and girls have long been an underrepresented group in sport and teenage girls in particular take part in sport and physical activity far less than the national average in Ireland.
Evidence suggests participation plummets during adolescence with just 7% of girls age 14-15 years meeting recommended physical activity levels. Girls who are active in their teenage years and develop a love of sport are much more likely to establish a life-long relationship with sport and exercise in adulthood.
Adolescence is a critical life-stage and these formative years are when attitudes and behaviours are established that shape the women they will become.
We need your help!
The Hackathon project is a fantastic opportunity for the general public to get involved to help come up with ideas that Sport Ireland and the LSPs might be able to develop into programmes for teenage girls. Please feel free to share this information with anyone and everyone; e.g. teenage girls (especially those who don’t play much sport), teachers, parents, sports development officers.
Join the Girls Get Active Hackathon and use your voice to help teenage girls realize that sport and physical activity can be a part of their lives and that sport is for everyone, including them.