General News
29 October, 2024
Local community proves This Girl Can
Over the past fortnight, the Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC) has partnered with Sports Focus to host the This Girl Can initiative — with 60 free activities encouraging women to enjoy being active.
While it was ongoing, The Advertiser asked participants about their experiences with the program and physical activity.
Megan Mullins, Mums and Kids Gymnastics
What made you want to participate in this activity?
My daughters are both involved with the Goldfields Gymnastics Club and do gymnastics every week so it’s good for them to see me involved.
How much physical activity do you do in a week? Would you like to do more?
I do minimal structured exercise, every now and then I will go for a walk but once a week probably not.
At the moment I would like to be a bit more active. One of the other reasons I came along was to try something new.
Is there anything preventing you from being able to participate more?
I think living out of town hurts. Coming in to do a class is an extra trip in and out so you’re trying to tie it in with when you’re already in town and try to make it work.
Then there’s the financial cost and not knowing if I like it and all that kind of stuff.
What can the community do to make women more comfortable to participate in sport?
The This Girl Can program prompted me to do it because it seemed to be beginner friendly whereas if you just go to a club or a class, you feel like you’re starting halfway through and everyone else is going to be an expert.
Jasmine McCulloch, Martin School of Dance Fun Fitness Class
What made you want to participate in this activity?
I love to dance, I did it when I was very little and then a little in high school.
I think it’s a really fun activity, it’s physical so you always feel great after and you can do it with some lovely ladies.
How much physical activity do you do in a week? Would you like to do more?
I like to go to some of the gym classes each week, they can be intense when you first start but it’s that friendship where no one takes themselves too seriously and you go for a good time.
Is there anything preventing you from being able to participate more?
When I was younger, it was really intimidating and I wasn’t the fittest because you’re not fit when you start.
Dance is a really good way to ease people into trying something in a friendly environment.
What can the community do to make women more comfortable to participate in sport?
I think there are a lot of people who want to welcome women into their sports clubs and activities.
Sometimes when a club has been around for a while and something has always been done a certain way, you might not think about it through a different lens.
If there are training opportunities available that look at making places more friendly to women, I would highly recommend that they take those opportunities, especially if they are low cost.
Kate Cain, Mums and Kids Gymnastics
What made you want to participate in this activity?
My daughter does gymnastics and it’s good to be able to share the experience with her.
The timing of this activity suited me really well being after school.
How much physical activity do you do in a week?
I guess I’m active because I live on a farm but I don’t put in a lot of time to do exercise for myself.
I also participate in the triathlon club when they have their meets.
Is there anything preventing you from being able to participate more?
I could easily name barriers which could put me off exercise. Living out of town, not enough time, those kind of things.
What can the community do to make women more comfortable to participate in sport?
I think clubs do a good job of helping out beginners.
Activities I’ve been involved with in town always seem welcoming, I feel the triathlon club are really good with beginners but I guess until you go for the first time, you don’t know.
Fiona Glen, Senior Taekwondo
What made you want to participate in the activity?
My daughter was doing taekwondo and I got sick and tired of sitting in the car so I decided to join and it has been great.
How much physical activity do you do in a week?
Apart from my work in home care I don’t do much physical activity and not like taekwondo. It’s really physical.
Is there anything preventing you from being able to participate more?
No, taekwondo is more than sufficient for me.
What can the community do to make women more comfortable to participate in sport?
I don’t really know, the taekwondo club has a few women and it gives you a family-orientated feel where you are progressing at your own speed.
The men aren’t going to grab you or anything like that, they are pretty good.