Creating space for girls to be active in way that feel right

“Girls tend to stick to the sidelines, they don’t want to get involved, they’re very conscious about their bodies.” – Kaiako

• 35% of girls report “people watching me” as a barrier (vs 18% of boys).

• 48% of girls reported “being left out/having no one to play with” as a barrier (vs 35% of boys).

• Fewer girls thought they were good at PE, felt included, felt that they were making progress in PE, or liked doing PE at school compared to boys.

• Boys enjoy being active at playtime more than girls (71% vs 60%).

• More boys are engaged in physical activity before school (60% vs 47% of girls).

Evaluation of Healthy Active Learning and the Voice of Tamariki survey reveals that disparities between girls' experiences of PE and physical activity and those of boys start as early as primary school.

Across Healthy Active Learning, customised initiatives draw on insights and feedbck from female ākonga to promote girls’ enjoyment of physical activity in ways that reflect their interests and comfort levels.

One of these is at Waikōwhai Intermediate in Tāmakai Mākaurau Auckland.

Waikōwhai realised it could be doing more to support its female ākonga to be active through gathering student insights with Sport Auckland’s Healthy Active Learning team.

This process included all 380 ākonga completing a physical education survey, a girl-only focus group, and a playground audit to see how play spaces were being used at break times.

The research revealed that although girls said they liked walking with their friends, they didn’t like getting changed into exercise gear to do it. As a result, the Wai-Walkers group was formed – an addition to the boys-dominated lunchtime runners’ group.

“Being outside in the nature and not having to run and having a nice calm stroll is what I like. It’s a good way for students to keep fit in a way that works for them.” – Ākonga