News5th December 2024

Sports hijabs a game-changer for Birmingham girls

A new partnership between The Sweaty Betty Foundation and Ark schools in Birmingham will promote physical activity for girls.

Ark Boulton AcademyArk Kings AcademyArk St Alban’s AcademyArk Victoria Academy

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Students at Ark Boulton wearing their new kit

Girls at Ark’s four secondary schools in Birmingham have received 150 sport hijabs from The Sweaty Betty Foundation. The donation was made to students at Ark Boulton, Ark Kings, Ark St Alban’s and Ark Victoria.
 
Representatives from The Sweaty Betty Foundation joined the girls and staff at Ark Boulton on 29 November as they received their new kit and participated in a PE lesson.
 
Laura Crutchley, Assistant Principal and PE Teacher at Ark Boulton said: “Having kit they are comfortable in really helps the girls to get involved and feel confident whilst they’re taking part in sport and physical activity.”
 
Aaliyah, a student at Ark Boulton said: “Compared to what we wear on a regular basis, it’s really helpful. It doesn’t fall off when we play sports.”
 
The day also marked the launch of a wider partnership between Ark and The Sweaty Betty Foundation, which will see Ark developing sustained and progressive girls-only provision across its four schools in Birmingham. The programme, which is being funded by The Sweaty Betty Foundation, is expected to benefit 400 girls during the year.
 
Tom Morrish, Network Lead for PE, Sport and Play at Ark said: “We want all our students to feel comfortable and confident when they’re doing physical activity, and we’re particularly keen to encourage more girls to take part and compete. We’re excited that our new partnership with The Sweaty Betty Foundation will enable this.”
 
Just 47 percent of children and young people in the UK are considered to be physically active. In Birmingham, this figure falls to 34 percent. Of that number, global trends indicate that girls are less likely to be active than boys. They report a lack of confidence, fear of being judged, worries about PE lessons during menstruation, and feeling unsafe as some of the reasons for not participating in physical activity. These barriers are further compounded by a lack of suitable kit as well as the challenges of accessing out-of-school clubs, especially for those from lower income families.
 
Afsana Lachaux, Director of The Sweaty Betty Foundation said: “The right sports kit can make all the difference. With 52 percent of girls feeling self-conscious in their PE kit, it’s clear that inclusive and comfortable clothing can significantly boost confidence and participation in sport and physical activity. Every girl, regardless of her background, deserves the joy of movement.”