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Active Girls

Active participation in sport and recreation provides the chance to have social contact with friends and to make new ones. It strengthens the confidence of young women in their ability to tackle challenges and enhances self-esteem.

Active Girls Breakfast 2009

Last Thursday 16 July, nearly 1000 teenage school girls from over 70 high schools in Victoria attended the 10th annual Active Girls Breakfast.

The breakfast, run by the Department of Planning and Community Development, Sport and Recreation Victoria, was held at Etihad Stadium, and aimed to inspire young women to get active and involved in sport and recreation.

While eating a healthy and tasty breakfast, some of Victoria's leading female athletes told stories of their achievements, goals and battles in reaching for their dreams.

Guest speakers included Athens silver medallist and Beijing bronze medallist wheelchair basketballer Shelley Chaplin, Danni Watts from the Butterfly Foundation, Matilda’s goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, and taekwondo black belt holder and author and Gladiator, Tiffany Hall.

The presentations also focussed on the importance of having a positive body image, and the myth around the 'perfect body'.

A short clip showed the students how easily the media can manipulate images to make someone appear flawless.

The Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, James Merlino, also attended the event, welcoming everyone at the start of the breakfast.

A number of schools from bushfire affected regional Victoria also attended the event, including student Nikola White, who was interviewed for a video shown at the event. Her story was a personal insight into coping with the devastation of the recent fires.

The girls were also treated to a demonstration by a fire twirling callisthenics group, an 83 year old yoga expert and a troupe of Bollywood dancers. At the end of the breakfast everyone had the chance to participate in some Bollywood dancing of their own.

The breakfast was a fun, colourful and inspiring event which showed young women it's ok to like yourself, your body and to never stop being active, regardless of your age or ability.

A further seven breakfasts will be held in Victoria throughout the year, including events in the Wimmera, Mallee, and Gippsland regions with a further breakfast to be held in Hume.

The Active Girls Breakfast aligns closely with the 'Go for your life' initiative. For tips and ideas on how you can get active go to www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au

For further information, please contact:

Genevieve Lim
Genevieve.Lim@sport.vic.gov.au
(03) 9208 3813


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