Belinda Muller from Sport Bay of Plenty discusses the value of sport and what motivates women and girls to participate. She also provides practical tips for coaches, managers, schools and clubs to promote female participation and well-being in sport.
4. Participation in physical activity & sport
• is an effective way to prevent and manage several
mental health disorders ( ie depression, anxiety,
dementia)
• has also been associated with indicators of better
mental well-being (eg happiness, self-esteem,
cognitive development
• contributes to reducing the incidence of type 2
diabetes, high BP, cardiovascular disease and obesity
related disorders.
Happier, healthier women
5. Participation in sport & physical activity can:
• improve self-confidence, self-esteem and physical self perceptions,
result in fewer depressive symptoms and overall cognitive and
mental health in young people.
• improve social skills, social integration, competence, cooperation
and teamwork.
• improve children’s cognitive control, planning, concentration,
attention, reasoning ability and on task behaviour.
• contribute to improved academic outcomes for children
• Higher academic performance and attendance rates
• Less lateness and stand downs
Happier, healthier girls
6. “As the amount of time participating
increases, so does the emotional
wellbeing of both young people and
adults” (NZ Participation Survey 2017)
7. Better connected communities
• A sense of belonging is important to New
Zealanders feelings of wellbeing
• The opportunity to socialise is central to many
people’s decision to participate in physical activity
and sport
8. “Young people who participate more
frequently in a variety of activities,
particularly outside of school, and who
have greater cardiorespiratory fitness, are
more likely to be active in adulthood”
(Blizzard et al 2011)
9. Why? - motivators for women & girls
• 93% fitness and health
• 86% fun (enjoyment)
• 49% social reasons
• 48% low cost
• 48% convenience
10. Young females are more likely than
young males to be motivated by
physical wellbeing, and this appears to
emerge between ages 12-17.
11. Women & girls tell us that being active
• Gives them more energy
• Helps them look and feel good
• Gives them confidence
12. Sport (being active), good for mental health
… but there can be challenges for
participants…
13. • The competitive nature of sport in secondary
school
• Primary school sport is about fun
• Concern about sporting ability
• Co-ed PE classes
• Influence of friends
• Influence of family
• Lack of time
• Costs associated with sport
Challenges for Girls
15. Stats NZ Data -June 2018
• employment rate for women in NZ is the highest since records
began over 30 years ago
• there are 352,000 working mothers in NZ representing around
28.5% or all working women
16. • Working full time
• Study pressures
• Pregnancy
• Parenting / family commitments
• Lack of time
• Lack of childcare
• Cost
• Self-conscious in sports uniform
• May prefer to be non competitive
• Lack of skills or perceived lack of skills
Challenges for Women
17. What can we do?
• Coaches
• Managers
• Schools/clubs/regions
• Parents
• Self
18. Practical Tips – Coaches/Managers/Schools & Clubs
• Competition structure – ask for input and get feedback as to best options for them
• Offer alternative formats – offering options that are less competitive or non-competitive - social,
groups of friends
• Season Planning - other commitments? – what are they? Find out before setting training times
• Their terms their space – flexible solutions
• Women & girls only sessions – safe and secure
• Keep costs low
• Kids welcome at training, possibly rostered childcare
• Create a safe and welcoming place – create an environment where women and girls feel
comfortable, safe, valued and involved. Changes may need to be made to social, cultural and
physical aspects of the environment
21. Give
Your time
Your words
Your prescence
Be Active
Do what you can
Enjoy what you do
Move your mood
Keep Learning
Embrace new
experiences
See opportunities
Surprise yourself
Take Notice
Appreciate the little
things
Savour the moment
Connect
Talk and listen
Be there
Feel connected
Helped someone Walked the dog Tried a new recipe Go to the park or
beach
Wrote a letter
Volunteered at an
event
Planted a garden Read a book Watch the clouds Wrote in a journal
Supported a friend Put on some music
and dance
Read poetry Watch the stars Phoned a friend
Help someone learn
a new skill
Take a bike ride Take a course Drive somewhere
new
Have coffee with a
friend
Helped coach a
player or team
Play with kids Learn a new
instrument
Visit an art gallery or
museum
Visit a friend
Helped with
housework
Walk outside Read or watch
something funny
Find out about a
local issue
Attend a local event
or movie with others
Engage in small acts
of kindness
Do some gentle
stretches
Turn off electronics Close your eyes and
breathe or practise
mindfulness
Attended a class
others
Add your own Add your own Add your own Add your own Add your own
Adding Well Being to your Week
22. 12 Ways to enhance Well Being
• Physical activity – be active
• Gratitude – 3 things to be grateful for
• Writing – self-awareness, problem solving, alleviate or manage stress
• Meditation – focus on the present, on breathing, calm our minds
• Creativity – embrace our creative side
• Animals – health coaches and personal trainers
• Social Connection – social support reduces stress, increases health & quality of life
• Laughter – connects people, diffuses stress
• Spend more time outside – exposure to sunlight and vitamin D
• Quality Sleep – brighten perspective and provide more energy
• Nutrition – less processed foods more whole foods
• Stop stressing about health – balance and moderation
Author: Kathi Cameron
23. Make a handwritten list of:
10 things I love to do!
Watch Netflix
Walk the dog on the beach
Play with granddaughter
Have coffee with a friend
Browse the shops
Read a novel
Listen to music
Play piano
Visit family
Family dinner
24. Things I would do for myself if I
had …
… 10 minutes
… 1 hour
… a whole day!