Facilities

Return to Fitness: Active Sussex

Having looked at the results from the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation ‘Sweat in the City’ programme Active Sussex  and Inspire Leisure wanted to look at how they could support people who want to return to fitness but for various reasons find leisure centres and fitness classes a daunting place to visit.

Overview

To support women to return to fitness and to discover positive power of exercise.

Project detailsProject duration: 25 January 2010 - 29 March 2010
Organisation: 
Active Sussex and Inspire Leisure
Project name: 
Return to Fitness
AudienceAll women
Age group: 
0 - 15
Age group: 
16 - 24
Age group: 
25 - 40
Age group: 
41+
Innovation
This was a new approach for Active Sussex. They had tried Back to Netball and similar programmes, but the variety of activities and a consistant mentor for participants was new.
Recruitment and promotion
Recruitment was done through the local employers and press releases were issued.
Location
Local
How was your project delivered?A variety of activities
Funding
The project was funded by Inspire Leisure and Active Sussex through the Active & Healthy Workplace Inititative, plus the participants were charged £20 for the 10 week course.
Partnership
Inspire Leisure, Active Sussex’s Active & Healthy Workplace Initiative, Littlehampton Town Council, Littlehampton Gazette
Results
Evaluation: 
Evaluation • Participants completed pre and post course questionnaires on each participant and analyse • Participants complete pre and post fitness test (step test and resting heart rate) • Offer those attending an incentive to carry on visiting the Leisure Centre for physical activity. E.g. 12 for 10 cards, free gym induction etc The programme was a huge success: 100% of particpants increased their activity levels 70% improved their resting heart rate 100% continued to particpant and took advantage of the incentives The programme ran was really well received and more courses are planned using the same format.
Themes

For more information telephone Active Sussex on 01273 643869, or e-mail on link below.

Key links: 
www.inspireleisure.co.uk
www.activesussex.org
[email protected]

Faith and Action: Born to Succeed

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The project aims to tackle the low number of Muslim women and girls in sport, in order to bring equality through the arena of sport. This is done through the provision of a suitable environment in which they could train and compete against women and girls of the same and different faiths.

Project detailsProject duration: 01 August 2009 - 01 August 2012
Organisation: 
Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation
Project name: 
Faith and Action: Born to Succeed
AudienceMuslim
Age group: 
16 - 24
Age group: 
25 - 40
Age group: 
41+
Innovation
The project is unique as it is the first project to is focus specifically on delivering activity for Muslim women.
Recruitment and promotion
We recruited participants through schools, word of mouth and the media.
Location
Regional
How was your project delivered?Basketball, football
Funding
Our project is reliant on funding from the Football Foundation and Nike Player Panel.
Partnership
Partners include Sporting Equals, the Prince’s Trust, Elite Youth, Islamic Societies, Asian Football Network, Harrow and Brent Council, BBC One Extra and many sporting organisations including England Basketball and The Football Association. The chair of the MWSF was voted one of the top 20 most influential Muslim women in the UK by the Times and sits on the FA’s Advisory Group for Race Equality, the FA’s Asian and Muslim Women’s Support group, and John Mann’s (MP) Tackling Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism taskforce. The MWSF have also been recognised by winning the 2008 Mosaic Award, Nike Player Panel Award and 2009 Muslim News Award for Excellence for Sport.
Themes

Growing participation

The Faith and Action: Born to Succeed project was specifically introduced to tackle the low number of Muslim women and girls in sport, in order to bring equality through the arena of sport.  Part of the project is to research Muslim women’s participation in sport across England, in particular barriers that prevent such women from participating at all levels of sport, and recommendations for ways to engage them.

Confidence and self-esteem

The project aims to help MWSF build an organisational infrastructure that has the scope to change attitudes about, and the understanding of, what sport can provide Muslim women and support other organisations to deliver appropriate coaching sessions for such target audiences.

Key links: 
Muslim Women's Sport Foundation

Women and girls in judo

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The women and girls in judo project focuses on creating environments to encourage the retention of female members (including special needs members). To do this we have created a Female Club Model. We provide the opportunity for female members to practice together at club, area and national levels and develop and promote models of good practice in all technical areas. We also deliver seminars and workshops to encourage good practice and create a positive image of judo through promotions and merchandise.

Project detailsProject duration: 01 April 2009 - 31 March 2010
Organisation: 
British Judo Association
Project name: 
Women and Girls in Judo
AudienceAll women
Age group: 
0 - 15
Age group: 
16 - 24
Age group: 
25 - 40
Age group: 
41+
Innovation
The programme has changed the competitive grading scheme to a non-competitive scheme after decades which has made judo a more appealing sport for women and girls.
Recruitment and promotion
We recruited current members and promoted the new grading scheme through the British Judo Association (BJA) website, Matside Magazine, coach events and direct mail.
Location
National
How was your project delivered?Judo
Funding
The women and girls in judo programme was funded by Sport England.
Partnership
We partnered with Positive Futures to deliver the programme to hard to reach groups.
Results
Lessons: 
As we develop the programme we would like to recruit female coaches to develop and run the sessions at the regional level. We would also like to do some work with improving the attitude around female judo coaches. We would also like to promote this project more directly to potential coaches, and put in a coach development strategy.
Evaluation: 
The project has been a great success as we have seen an increase in females grading. When you compare the numbers from 2007/08 to 2008/09, there is an increase of 35% in senior female players and 24% in junior female players.
Themes

Working with hard to reach groups

During the project we identified and encouraged clubs and officials who cater for people with disabilities through club development and providing them with an opportunity to compete and participate in special needs events. We also provided workshops for coaches on working with special needs players.

Tackling drop-off

We continue to identify and consult clubs who have a high percentage of female members. We advertise and utilise the development officers' contacts to spread the word at a club level.

Workforce development

We have organised and promoted events to promote female continual professional development (CPD), coach revalidation, UK coaching certificate (UKCC) and Instructors Awards for females only.

We are working with the volunteer section of the BJA to build models of good practise to encourage more female into refereeing and table officiating.

 Promotion and marketing

We have begun a campaign to promote women and girls judo with new graphic designs for all of our promotional materials. We also set up stalls at all BJA's major events and send direct mail to members over the age of twelve.

We also email our contacts list and have been developing a Facebook page.  BJA continues to use role models at area and national events and seminars. Will be developing resource booklet of successful British female judo players soon.

Key links: 
British Judo Association
Positive Futures
Matside Magazine

Fit For Girls - Bishopsbriggs Academy

We wanted to increase girls' participation in sport and physical activity at Bishopsbriggs School in Scotland.

Project detailsProject duration: 17 August 2009 - ongoing
Organisation: 
Bishopsbriggs School
Project name: 
Fit for Girls - Bishopsbriggs - Netball League
AudienceSchool
Age group: 
0 - 15
Recruitment and promotion
We kick-started the programme with netball team trials evenings, using posters and staff to promote the events; approximately 60 girls from S1 and S2 attended. We then used a second trials evening to further encourage these pupils and to sustain their interest. At this point girls were informed they had all been successful in their try-outs, that they would all be invited back and that they had ‘made’ the team.
Location
Regional
How was your project delivered?Netball
Partnership
Support from partners has been essential. Netball Scotland provided specialist coaches, constant guidance and advice; while the local sports centre provided the hire of facilities and equipment; and local newspapers promoted the league and reported on fixtures.
Results
Lessons: 
On average 90 girls from the six participating schools competed in the league competition. Around 40-50 of these pupils also attended the monthly coaching sessions.The league has resulted in a significant increase in the number of girls participating in regular sport and physical activity. The trials evenings ensured the girls developed a sense of identity and pride in representing their school and allowed us to sustain the high number participating in weekly training sessions, match fixtures and monthly specialist coaching sessions. We now find ourselves with around 5 squads and struggle to provide them all with a team kit! We have seen a vast improvement in the fitness level, skill level and overall attitude towards sport and physical activity; 80% of our S2 girls have gone on to select Standard Grade PE as one of their subjects to study in S3/S4. “Training and match nights were great fun and taught me a lot more skills and how to play netball better. I think that S2 netball was really good. I hope the S3 league is as good as I hope to have great fun again.” S2 pupil All schools have committed their involvement to the S1/S2 league next session, and an S3/S4 girl’s league will be introduced to continue the pathway for current participants. Netball Scotland has also requested that this programme be taken forward to set up an East Dunbartonshire Coaching School to develop an elite squad of netballers who will have the opportunity to be selected by scouts to represent Glasgow and/or Scotland Netball squads.
Themes

Growing and sustaining participation

The Bishopbriggs Academy was created to increase girls' participation in sport and physical activity. The schools involved in the programme conducted weekly coaching sessions with a focus on netball skills and fitness. The combination of competition and skills was critical to sustaining the group of girls. 

We invited specialist coaches to run monthly clinics for players that were interested and ran a weekly competitive league.

We have seen a vast improvement in the girls' fitness and skill levels and overall attitude towards sport and physical activity.  80% of our S2 girls have gone on to select Standard Grade PE as one of their subjects to study in S3/S4.

We have also introduced a transition netball programme for P6/P7 girls and a league style competition between primary schools.

Key links: 
Bishopbriggs Academy

London Playing Fields Foundation - Active Angels

Active Angels is an innovative multi-activity project that aims to contribute to the health of 14-16 year old girls by encouraging and sustaining their participation in sporting activity.  It focuses on girls who are currently active but who are at risk of adopting sedentary lifestyles once they have left school. The project has been providing opportunities for girls to participate in sports and physical activity in a non-competitive, friendly and supportive environment since 2004.

Project detailsProject duration: 01 January 2004 - ongoing
Organisation: 
London Playing Fields Foundation
Project name: 
Active Angels
AudienceSchools
Age group: 
0 - 15
Age group: 
16 - 24
Innovation
What makes the project so innovative is that is it customer focussed, responding to the needs of the girls rather than to a prescribed syllabus or fixture list. Active Angels targets a new type of participant – now known as the semi-sporty. The coaches were all recruited from local clubs so that if the girls developed a particular interest in an activity and wished to pursue it then they already had links established with a local club. Year 11 pupils were mentored and action plans were developed to help them identify opportunities to maintain their activity levels once they left school.
Recruitment and promotion
LPFF worked closely with the Partnership Development Manager and the Community Sports Coach to ensure that the project was promoted within the local schools. The Project Coordinator visited each school and made presentations to the appropriate Year Groups during assemblies and PE lessons and put up posters. An emphasis was placed on recruiting girls who were not participating in sport or physical activity outside school and PE teachers were asked to refer pupils they thought would benefit from the project. Participants were empowered to be Ambassadors to promote the project within their school. They were also encouraged to “Activate an Angel” and bring a friend with them to sessions. Before the start of each term reminder postcards were sent to previous participants with details of sessions.
Location
Local
How was your project delivered?Hockey, netball, badminton, football, swimming, aerobics, spinning, street dance, gym, ice blading, salsa, pilates, boxercise
Funding
Phase 1 of the project (2004 – 2007) was funded through an Active England grant. Phase 2 of the project is being funded through Waltham Forest Youth Support Service.
Partnership
Partnerships were established with the Waltham Forest Northern School Sports Partnership, Waltham Forest PCT, Waltham Forest Healthy Schools Coordinator, WF Community Sports Coach, Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme, Greenwich Leisure Limited, Women’s Sports & Fitness Foundation and Pro Active North London.
Results
Lessons: 
The key lesson learnt was the need to tailor the activity programme to the needs of the girls. For example, the intention was to deliver activity sessions throughout the three school terms; however the attendance figures dropped from January until March when the evenings were cold and dark and so a decision was made to cancel sessions during this period. The coaching style of the instructors was also a key factor in keeping the girls engaged. They were asked to focus on making their sessions fun and sociable and encouraging participation and rather than performance coaching. When the girls provided negative feedback about particular instructors the Project Coordinator approached them and asked them to adapt their sessions. If they were unable to accommodate this request then they were replaced by more suitable candidates.
Evaluation: 
The project was evaluated at the end of Phase 1 which showed that 380 girls had participated over the three year period. 39% of these girls were in Year 11 and 23% in Year 10. 16% of attendees were in Year 12 which demonstrates that participants were keen to keep attending Active Angels after they had left school. Twenty girls joined the gym using the concessionary scheme offered by Greenwich Leisure Limited in order to increase their participation rates. At the start and end of each term a monitoring questionnaire was completed by participants to measure the difference in their attitudes to the benefits of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. The results showed that the girls all thought their health had improved through participating in the programme and they had a greater understanding of the positive effects that physical activity had on their physical and mental health.
Themes

Tackling drop-off

In order to try and prevent the drop-off in participation for those in the 16+ age group, the project specifically targeted girls aged 14 – 16 years and provided them with a programme of activity tailored to their needs. 

The coaches delivered activities with a focus on sustaining participation rather than performance which tends to put off the target group.  The aim is to create an environment which is not only customer focused but also seeks to enhance the self esteem of the participants. 

Health and well-being

Many of the girls took part in Active Angels to control their weight and to feel good about themselves. This improved self image has helped the girls function better in other parts of their lives.

The project used several methods of communicating with participants:

  • Presentations in schools by the Activity Coordinator
  • Posters in schools
  • Reminder postcards to participants
  • Ambassadors – participants promoting the project within their school
  • Activate an Angel – bring a friend scheme
  • PE staff were encouraged to refer girls who they thought would benefit from the project

Reversioning sport

The emphasis of Active Angels was on delivering activity in a fun and relaxed environment.  The coaches understood this ethos and tailored their sessions accordingly.  After each session there was an opportunity for the girls to socialise in the sports centre.  The Project Coordinator also organised off-site trips (e.g. ice skating at an outdoor rink at Christmas) and delivered healthy eating workshops where the girls had the opportunity to socialise with girls from different schools.

Promotion and marketing

The Active Angels project used several methods to communicate with participants:

  • Presentations in schools by the Activity Coordinator
  • Posters in schools
  • Reminder postcards to participants
  • Ambassadors – we used participants to promote the project within their school
  • Activate an Angel – bring a friend scheme
  • PE staff were encouraged to refer girls who they thought would benefit from the project
Key links: 
London Playing Fields Foundation - Active Angels
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