Maitland Hosts Girls Get Active Day

Sport NSW and Maitland City Council held a Girls Get Active Day on Thursday 9th March, following International Women's Day. The event took place at Maitland Park Bowling and Sporting Complex where Maitland Mayor, Cr Peter Blackmore welcomed four local high-schools, six champion female athletes and eight different sports.

Athletes Maddison Elliott OAM (swimming), Kylie Hilder (touch football), Kate Jenner (hockey), Kellyann Grayson (netball), Lisa Steane (Australian rules football) and Lauren Colthorpe (football) formed the female panel who shared their inspiring stories with high-school girls from years 7-11 to encourage participation in sport and active recreation. The panellists then interacted with the students individually for a photo and autograph session, before heading outside to take part in the sport circuits.

Coaching staff from athletics, football (soccer), rugby league, netball, Australian rules football, softball, basketball and karate attended the day to facilitate a sports station and provide information on the local female pathways available in their sport.

Sport NSW Membership and Female Programs Officer Sophie Milton believes the Girls Get Active event provides a perfect platform for girls to experience new sports in a fun and safe environment, as well as the unique opportunity to engage with such high-profile sports women.

"It was great to see the girls interact with our elite athletes and really embrace what the day was about", Milton said. "Sport NSW is committed to encouraging participation in sport and the Girls Get Active Day plays a key role in educating young girls about the introductory pathways available in each sport".

"I would like to thank both Maitland City Council and the staff at Maitland Park Bowling and Sporting Complex for their assistance in making this such an enjoyable event", Milton concluded.

Maitland Mercury news story | Sports stars inspire next generation at Girls Get Active Day in Maitland

Sport NSW photos | Girls Get Active Day - Maitland album