Eighty girls in grades 6 to 8 from all schools in School District No. 46 (SD46) participated in what the district is calling #SUNSHINECOASTGRLPWR, an event meant to “encourage girl participation in sports as they enter high school,” according to a release.
The Sept. 14 event, which was organized by the school district and Elementary Sports Committee, took place at the Gibsons Community Centre and consisted of workshops and speeches from sports professionals, including outgoing SD46 trustee Betty Baxter, who is a former Olympian and national volleyball coach, and keynote speaker Andrea Neil, a retired soccer player who represented Canada at the international level in 132 games.
“Young girls receive so much negative information, so any positive messaging around sport, around body image, I think it’s a great event to have,” said SD46 school board chair Lori Pratt. “Hopefully the event blossoms and continues to grow.”
Workshops focused on sports hall of fame, track and field, interval training, Pilates, self defence, volleyball, dance, healthy snacking and counselling. A copy of the book Strong is the New Pretty by Katy T. Parker will be donated to each library in the district. The event began with a welcome from Andy Johnson of shíshálh Nation and Kerry Mahlman, district principal of Aboriginal programs and services, including the singing of the Women’s Warrior Song.
“It was a powerful, very positive event for girls in the school district to attend. It was very well received by the students and by the presenters, from my understanding,” Pratt said.
Each school chose up to nine girls to participate in the event based on their sports participation and other school activities. Some parents raised concerns that the choice of students lacked transparency and risked singling out those who did not make the cut.
Pratt acknowledged the issue and told Coast Reporter, “I do believe it’s unfortunate that there were feelings hurt. Hopefully there’s a solution that can be very quickly reached.”
