An Aberdeen initiative aiming to level the playing field for young girls in sport, has taken on their first placement student to help push forward pioneering work with added ‘womanpower’.

The Active Girls Committee (AGC), put together by Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team and run by girls from secondary schools across the city, launched in October 2016 and was one of the first of its kind in Scotland.

Rebecca Porteous, who is currently in her 3^rd year at Robert Gordon University studying for a degree in Applied Sport & Exercise Science, has taken on the role of Active Girls Committee Coordinator for a six week placement.  

Rebecca will be working collectively with the AGC to source funding, organise and plan projects and events while liaising with schools, clubs and local sports organisations, raising awareness and encouraging more girls to take part in sport. 

Research undertaken by the AGC last year found that nearly six out of ten Aberdeen secondary school girls don’t take part in sport because they feel self-conscious.

The group is championing a move to get more young girls involved in sport and physical activity, whilst breaking down barriers to participation.

Jo Bell, Sport Aberdeen Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, said:

“From the offset, the Active Girls Committee has been a force to reckon with and have already inspired an increasing number of young girls to take up sport and physical activity in Aberdeen.

“It is more important than ever to recognise the barriers that young women are faced with today, and with added ‘womanpower’ the committee have even more potential to have an impact on increasing the activity among young women and girls, inspiring more people to participant in sport.”

Rebecca Porteous also added:

“I was really interested in taking on a lead role and liked the idea of a ‘girls only’ committee. I was already aware of the difference of male and female participation in sport and with being a female I wanted to help the further development of changing this.”

Aimee Work, Active Girls Committee Chairperson, commented:

“This committee is full of strong, motivated and passionate young woman who I am exceptionally proud to represent. It is a great help having Rebecca here with us, helping us to put our promoting ideas into practice so that more and more girls can get involved.

“With hard work and determination our committee has already seen a significant increase in girl’s participation, which is something we wish to continue.”

Image: Active Girls Committee members with Robert Gordon University student Rachel Porteous (front right).