To mark the eighth anniversary of Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week (September 30-October 6), Scottish Government Ministers have been visiting the projects across the country which are working to encourage more women and girls to take part in sport and physical activity.
This year the campaign focuses on leadership, celebrating the strong leaders and role models who motivate and inspire others to take part in sport and physical activity as well as remove barriers which discourage women and girls from participating.
Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women's Health, today joined a group of participants and volunteers from a Glasgow jogging group for a walk around Maxwell Park and to hear how the group has helped the women taking part.
The Glasgow Southside Slowies were formed two years ago by Katie Hume-Hopper and her husband Phil, when the couple moved up to Glasgow and found their experience of running clubs was that not all running clubs are as accessible as they could be for people running at all paces, especially beginners or those returning to running.
The group are open to all, but the majority of members are female, with a wide age range from 18 through to over 70 years old. The sessions take place three times each week and regularly attract over 60 members with some sessions attracting over 100. Glasgow Southside Slowiers have been shortlisted for Group of the Year by jogscotland.
jogscotland is a recreational running network delivered by Scottish Athletics, which is perfect for people who want to get active for the first time, with hundreds of running groups across Scotland the programme has introduced many people to the numerous mental, physical and social benefits associated with running.
Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week aims to reach as many women and girls across Scotland as possible. The campaign is designed to show women that whatever their age, location or life stage, there is a sport or physical activity that’s right for them. The hope is to reach as many women and girls as possible to help boost their physical, mental and social health which all comes from being active.
The week also provides an opportunity to promote the visibility and participation of women and girls as role models in sport and physical activity to help break down barriers and inspire women and girls to be active.
Minister for Public Health and Women's Health Jenni Minto said:
“It was fantastic to meet with Glasgow Southside Slowies and jogscotland as we celebrate Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week.
“The group’s inclusive leadership approach ensures that women of all ages and abilities can get involved. I was heartened to hear about the physical, social, and mental health benefits both the participants and jog leaders gained from the group, and the sense of community it provides.”
Founder Katie Hume-Hopper, said:
"The real benefit of having a group like this is the impact of the support, encouragement and motivation that members provide one another week in, week out. Without this many of us would be a lot less active".
jogscotland Programme Manager, Jo Stevens, said:
“jogscotland is a huge supporter of the Women and Girls in Sport campaign. Our membership is made up predominantly of women (72%), and we understand how important being active is for our physical, mental and social wellbeing. Being active in one of our jog groups helps to tick all these boxes.
“Our groups are led by volunteers, many of whom have joined and come up through their group following a couch to 5k beginner programme so they make perfect role models for people starting out.
"Our leaders understand how difficult it can feel when first getting active or returning to activity but the friendly, supportive environments they create helps people to keep coming week after week.
“Our volunteers really are what make jogscotland the success that it is, and we strive to support them in their leadership journey with ongoing learning and networking opportunities and we celebrate the positive impact they have on their communities.”