By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
WITH six sports on offer, eight secondary schools participating and 141 Year 9 girls kicking, bouncing and talking their way through the day the City of Greater Dandenong’s second Girls Sport Expo certainly delivered.
Aiming to promote physical fitness, health, well-being and socialisation to girls around the age of 15, organiser Natalie Capsalis said volleyball was the most unfamiliar sport the girls participated in on the day.
“Some of the girls made comment that they enjoyed playing volleyball because they hadn’t had much exposure to it before.
“Which is what the day is about, exposing the girls to different sports and providing them with information about local sporting clubs and facilities,” Ms Capsalis said.
The council’s youth services department also ran a discussion workshop on the day which touched on self-esteem and body image and Ms Capsalis said the girls enjoyed socialising with each other.
“We rotate the girls in 10 groups and mix up the schools so the girls can make new friends and that’s one of the things that stood out in the survey,” she said.
Ms Capsalis said the council decided to put together a girls only sport expo to help engage girls of a certain age with sport.
“Studies have shown girls in Year 9 often drop out of playing sport due to study, employment and other interests,” she said.
Held at Springers Leisure Centre on Thursday 27 August, Mayor Sean O’Reilly said the expo was very valuable.
“It enhances good health and well-being and also encourages them to take what they experienced and share it with their family and friends,” Cr O’Reilly explained.
