FAME programs building momentum

Medicine Hat’s FAME programs have been gaining momentum this past year. The current Girls on The Move session — held at the Family Leisure Center Tuesday nights at 5:30 p.m. — has been wildly successful with explosive participation numbers from girls aged seven and up.

The physical, social and psychological benefits of females participating in sport are unprecedented if girls can remain active through periods of social stigma in adolescence, when participation numbers drop.

Girls are also more likely to join or remain in a sport that other females are involved in; whether it is having female teammates, coaching staff or role models within the sport at any level.

Locally, soccer and basketball clubs have noticed a drop in their young female registration numbers and have reached out to FAME to help bolster participation.

FAME is removing barriers in our community by making activity accessible, free, fun and providing female-led instruction where girls can explore different types of physical activity and sport in a non-competitive setting. This allows them to develop fundamental movement skills which we hope will give them the confidence to participate in sport and activity outside of FAME programming.

Our next exciting program Get Benched provides an opportunity for girls aged 10 to 17 to become an honorary Medicine Hat College Rattler. On Jan. 6 the women’s Rattlers volleyball team will be taking on SAIT. The first 30 girls to register with FAME will receive one free adult ticket to the game. Girls under the age of 18 get into Rattlers games for free. Four names will be randomly selected and announced during the starting line up to have the opportunity to join the bench with the Rattler and SAIT volleyball teams. To get a chance to Get Benched, email Famemedicinehat@gmail.com with your name, age, phone number and parents contact information to get registered

For more information on Girls on The Move, Get Benched, or any other FAME program, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at FAME Medicine Hat.

Chloe Aman is a chiropractor with the Ridge Spine and Sport Center and a member of the Females in Action Moving and Empowering Committee.