After a year of disruption and women’s activity levels decreasing, the national This Girl Can (TGC) campaign is encouraging all women to take time out to get active with a dedicated ‘THIS GIRL CAN WEEK’, starting tomorrow 12 June right through to 19 June 2021.
The week coincides with Sport England’s research which shows that women have particularly struggled to maintain their activity habits during the coronavirus pandemic. Further data shows that women are less likely to return to activity than men, with the most prevalent barriers including not feeling fit enough, childcare responsibilities and worries about COVID-19.
We recognise these same barriers tend to prevent women from playing the game they love as they age, so we are really pleased that our GB Maxibasketball programme continues to play a role in keeping players active, engaged and in touch with one another during the national lockdown. From online zoom S&C sessions at home to defensive slides in the park, from daily walks to sports hall conditioning (with a 5 year oldfor company ) – our GB Maxis women had it all going on!
Our overseas players also maintained their activity habits by making use of the great outdoors at a time when indoor basketball courts were unavailable. You may recall a few of our ‘lockdown training’ video blogs at the Nordic Ski Centre in Washington , the 5km walks in the Swiss countryside, and even a personal trainer-led fitness session outside an apartment block in Los Angeles!
TGC week is about putting the spotlight on women and exercise, celebrating how getting active can make women feel happier, stronger, and free. Whether they choose to do a brisk walk, a slow run, or play maxibasketball – it all counts! The TGC call to action this week is simply this: ‘it’s time to choose you’. With this in mind, GB Maxis Women will be getting active in their own way throughout TGC week, and in readiness for their third squad training camp in Brighton next weekend. Enjoy to the max ladies!