Girls in Motion has many, many goals. But at the heart of it we want to be a powerful resource for anyone who is interested in creating, supporting or becoming a successful woman in the world. Of course, as you can put together, sports is a huge part of how we do this – but don’t let that fool you into thinking we’re here to share results and talk tournaments. We’re interested in the inherent life-skills, physiological and psychological benefits that sport has to offer to young people, and specifically women.
Whether you think you have a future olympian in your garden, a natural-born performer, or a beautiful soul that you simply want to nurture, sport is an essential part of getting the best leg up in life – even if you’re on the 4th combined team!
Lessons from the field, court, water, pitch, sidelines
Sports - whether team or individual - has the innate ability to challenge us and exercises, for lack of a better word, a variety of skills we need to thrive as human beings in a very complicated world. Communication, resilience, team work, discipline, decisiveness, leadership, following, humility, celebration… the list is endless, and we plan to talk through all of it.
Girls. You’re all spectacular in your own way. We hope you read this newsletter and get inspired, motivated and excited about everything there is to be in the world! We’re here for you because of you.
Parents. You generally have the best intentions. Some of you know your little athletes will be the best and will do everything to get them there. Or on the flip-side, others of you would never force your daughter into something she doesn’t want to do. Either way, every parent needs perspective and a trustworthy resource to make the most out of those good intentions.
Changing the conversation
Does this conversation sound familiar? “Why don’t we hero women in sport more – you know there are such incredible female athletes that come from this country, and we just never hear about them!” / “Ag ya, but the Women’s game just isn’t as fast or tactical as the guys - it’s hard to get used to, you know” / “No man, women’s sport is definitely on the rise - there was the netball team last year, and then Banyana won, didn’t they? But women have definitely been getting more and more recognition over the years.” / “Did you watch the Banyana final?” / “No, but I believe it was fantastic!” / “Oh, you know who else is great - Tatiana Schoonmaker - she’s Smith now hey?… There are lots of women doing well!” / “Do you think you’ll watch Banyana in their next season?” / “Soccer’s not really my sport, so probably not hey - I don’t even watch the men play to be honest”.
If that made you even vaguely laugh, you need to be here, and honestly might like it here too.
Whilst this conversation is about women’s sport, it applies across the board. There are so many spaces with phenomenal women at the forefront of their fields, but those that are prominent are often recalled with the classic, “What’s her name that’s in charge of X? – I believe she’s incredible”… You get the picture. And whether you’re a man or woman, this has probably happened to you more that you’d care to admit.
We want to build household names like Rassie, or Adrian, or whoever that guy is that runs the country that all of us can remember and appreciate for their leadership skills and personal agility.
All the best
The Team