New sports programme puts accent on activity
This year we will introduce a new programme called Wahine Hohe which translates as strong active female.
This is a girls sports ambassadors’ programme designed to try and address girls low participation rates.
It is being trialled with Aurora College and Te Wharekura.
Girls have been selected from different year levels and will attend a one day work shop being held at the ILT Stadium.
The key aims of the programme include creating leaders and providing a leadership opportunity.
This programme will also train students as PALS (Physical Activity Leaders) to help deliver lunchtime activities and use their influence to lift the percentage of girls involved in sport.
These leaders will inspire others in their year to get involved in sport and be active, along with being seen as ambassadors within their school.
The day will start with a focus group discussion on what activities they enjoy and why, what do they think would appeal to others in their school, what prevents students from participating and when would it be best to introduce activity options.
They will then have a two hour session with Bailey McCulloch from Fusion Fitness who will focus on selfconfidence, how they see themselves, the affect of your mindset, setting goals and selfreflection.
They will also participate in several physical activities.
There will be a following twohour session after lunch where they will be taken through the training to become PALS Leaders.
The conclusion of the day will be around combining ideas to introduce an active project within their school to introduce either towards the end of term one or in term two.
We plan to do follow ups with the group each term to monitor progress and look at feedback.
We hope to inspire these girls to become leaders within their school and to take on the responsibility of being inspirational to others and lift the profile and importance of being active.
Meanwhile, the Southland Secondary Schools Triathlon Championships took place on Friday.
Samuel Thornbury from Verdon College won the under19 section from SBHS student Flynn Sinclair, while James Hargest College picked up first and second in the teams’ event.
Reuben Thompson, Jaxon Taylor and Finn Rogers won the under-16 section, while Cathy White won the female section from Claudia Baird. James Hargest College won the male team, while Central Southland College claimed the mixed and SGHS won the female team.
Hayden Thompson won the under-14 boys’ section, while Sophie Shallard claimed the girls’ title.
Hargest edged Boys’ High by nine seconds in the under-14 teams event and also claimed the female section, while CSC won the mixed.
Jack Churstain won the Year 8 boys’ title, while Emma Faherty took the girls’.
SPORTS WRAP
Highlight of the week The Central Southland College triathlon team won the overall schools trophy with 47 athletes competing and numerous placings. Keep an eye on SBHS cricketer Aaron Hart has scored two centuries in just over a week. One for SBHS vs Menzies College in Year 7/8 and one for Invercargill Metro vs Dunedin in Year 7/8. Team of the week Southland Girls’ High School tennis team of Claudia Smith, Ella Smith, Holly Munro, Bianca Popham and Charlotte Hopcroft.
They convincingly won the Southland tennis title and will be the only Southland schools team attending the South Island Championships in Timaru this weekend.
What’s coming up Touch Champs - March 7 Athletics - March 10 Paddles Up - March 11 Southland Volleyball - March 12