Teenager fights stigma around girls and sport

A Jersey teenager has set up an event to inspire girls between the ages of eight and 18 years old to take part in all sports.

Event organiser and young worker for Jersey Youth Service, Lauren, 15, said the event was about breaking barriers and the stigma facing girls in sport.

The free event, called Every Girl Moves, will take place at the sports facility at Les Quennevais School on Monday.

Lauren said "everybody is welcome".

Lauren, who joined the youth service in Year 4, said it was a chance to try out new sports that some people might not have known was available to them.

"When we were organising this event I didn't even know there was a Jersey cricket team - apparently they are really good and keep winning competitions," she said.

"It is really cool to learn about different sports in the island."

At the beginning of Year 7, Lauren said she joined an all-boy football training session before finding another group called the Wonderers, which she is still a part of.

She said: "We are trying to get rid of the stigma and get more people involved.

"I know most people want to do a sport but they think it's a boys sport or worry about what people will think of them."

The event, which will have various sports organisations attending such as basketball, fencing, kickboxing and skateboarding, among others, takes place from 10:00 until 15:00 BST.

"There's plenty to try out," added Lauren.

Youth Worker Josh Twohig-Jones said Lauren was the "driving force" behind Every Girl Moves.

He said Lauren ran consultations around the island at various youth clubs and schools to encourage as many girls to attend the event and try a new sport.

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