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What is
The Girls Squad ?

The Girls Squad is a six-week programme aimed at young girls in Transition Year in school. The aim of the programme is to promote athletics in their school and community through an athletics project.

This project has both a physical and educational element to it. We at Athletics Ireland hope to improve and support, both the physical and psychological wellbeing of young girls across the nation. Athletics has a number of benefits in everyday life, sport and socialisation. It is hoped that The Girls Squad will equip young girls to lead healthier lives and value the importance of regular physical activity in their own lives and wider community.

Female Athletes Jumping for Joy
Group of girls exercising

What is the aim of The
Girls Squad?

The aim of this programme is to introduce young girls to the sport of athletics and to a general fitness regime through a physical and educational athletics programme.

This programme will explore elements of track and field such as throwing, running and jumping in a fun and sociable environment. The students will also further explore heathy lifestyle habits through healthy eating and positive health and wellbeing activities. Students will document their involvement in this programme through the ‘Girls Squad Report Card’.

The Girls Squad Athletics Programme for Transition Year Students is focused on attracting new participants to the sport of athletics and the health benefits associated with participation. The programme will teach students basic exercise activities, educate them on making healthy lifestyle choices for their overall long-term development as individuals

Welcome from

Lilly-Ann O’Hora

My name is Lilly-Ann O’Hora and I am the Women in Sport Officer with Athletics Ireland.

Athletics Ireland is wholly committed to contributing to the health and wellbeing of girls in schools.

Through The Girls Squad teachers will be equipped to teach athletics with confidence, competence, and creativity.

Athletics Ireland has designed the online video resources as a tool for teachers to assist them in implementing effective and memorable athletics sessions.

Athletics has the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of girls through their involvement in physical activity and we hope that The Girls Squad will encourage schools to foster student ability and to encourage interest so that students will want to extend their participation by supporting a local athletic club.

The Girls Squad Handbook

Why participate in The Girls Squad?

ENCOURAge PHYSICAL ACTIVITY  
IN A NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
CREATE A NEWFOUND APPRECIATION OF ALL THINGS ATHLETICS
PROMOTES PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
LEARNING NEW LIFE SKILLS
REWARDED FOR PARTICIPATION
HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAMWORK
OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP ATHLETICS RECREATIONALLY

What does the programme involve

The project must be supported and encouraged by a teacher .
Project must be designed, developed and completed by the TY students.
The girls have the opportunity to create a unique athletics project of their choice.
The project should have both physical and written elements to it, which should be visually displayed.
For example, the project could include healthy lifestyle choices, importance of athletics in everyday life, run an event of your choice or design an athletics programme to promote athletics within your school/area.
You will be asked to measure physical activity levels of your students pre, post and 3 months after the programme. This will be submitted to AAI upon completion of the 6 week project.

Why participate in The Girls Squad?

Girl Squad Poster
The Girls Squad Report Card
Handbook Icon
The Girls Squad Handbook
Video icon
Resources
Track Icon
Sample Track and Field Sessions
Information Icon
Strength and Conditioning Manual
Coaching icon
Free Access to AAi Coach- Relays & Hurdles
T-shirt icon
T-shirts upon completion
Girls Squad Certificate
Certificate of merit
Group of girls in indoor track

Awarded for Participation

On completion of the 6 week programme students will be awarded with The Girls Squads official t-shirts and certificate of merit once all elements of the project have been logged and submitted.

If this programme may be if interest to your school and transition year girls , we would be delighted to help and assist you in anyway that we can. We have a number of resources that can assist this programme. If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact myself lillyannohora@athleticsireland.ie

There will be an information night organised for teachers who register their school for the programme.