This Girl Can Ambassador - Susie

Since we last spoke to our This Girl Can ambassador Susie, she has not only been working on her RFU level 1 coaching qualification but also gaining her next grading in Taekwondo. Susie took the time to share with us what she has been up to over the last couple of months.

"May was a really busy month.  I have completed and been declared 'competent' on my RFU Level 1 coaching course.  This entailed running; running a lot.  Three full days of classroom and practical, comprising all kinds of information on child safety, physical ability, safeguarding, key factors of rugby and mainly how to keep them engaged and make it fun.  Then we ran some more, and some more and some more.  I don't think I have run as much ever!  

I had forgotten how much fun it is to play team sports like this and to be part of a team.  I absolutely loved it.  There was a really supportive atmosphere as we all took it it turns to coach the rest of the group.  Rugby netball, touch rugby and lots more besides.  And I felt SOOOOOO proud of myself. 

I have started a little tag rugby club at my son's school and I have managed to get at least one person to want to take up rugby in September, OK it was a boy, but it's a start.   

On the Taekwondo side I took a grading and passed.  So now I am a 6th Kup, only 6 more to black belt.  I might get there one day.  I was so proud of myself.  When I started I aimed for green belt and now I'm here, and I am going on to the next level.  I have set myself a target of 6 months to pass the next grading.  Fingers crossed.  I know my pattern already I just need to get a bit fitter, and learn how to break boards!  Ouch.  

My daughter also passed her grading and is keeping ahead of me on a 5th Kup, but not for long!  She is very flexible and will make black belt with ease.  She is also pretty scary in sparring and beats boys twice her size.  They soon learn to try and defend themselves when she starts to kick!  Some don't want to fight a girl, but she wants to fight the boys!"  

If you would like to have your female sessions promoted or would like to help inspire more women to get inspired by #ThisGirlCan email us. Remember if you are getting active - tweet @SportHIOW a picture including #ThisGirlCan

Run 4 Fun Brockenhurst

Helen Barnett and Sally Lewis started their first joint running groups for beginners in January 2016. Sally was already a group leader, and an England Athletics Leadership in Running Fitness tutor. Helen originally attended Sally’s groups in 2014 as a beginner herself. Helen had been very overweight and un-fit, and it was Sally’s motivation and sessions that had helped her shed weight and get into running. Helen has lost a lot of weight, and since gone on to take part in several half marathons. She is a true convert, with enthusiasm brimming to get others out enjoying the great outdoors. Helen has found that the success of getting others started with running has boosted her own self-confidence, and she certainly never seems to stop smiling when encouraging her group members to work hard.

Sally and Helen lead groups based in the idyllic New Forest, so there are plenty of beautiful trails and paths that they can use. They started two specific groups targeting the Southampton Race for Life events, as well as a workplace group based at the New Forest District Council offices at Appletree Court, Lyndhurst.

Neither Sally or Helen had previously taken part in Race for Life, although both have experience of close friends and family being taken from them with cancer. Sally’s dad died 2 years ago having suffered for several years with cancer, and this year her 79 year old mum has joined one of Sally’s beginner running groups, determined to run together in his memory.

We caught up with Sally and Helen at their workplace group in Lyndhurst, where they hold a weekly lunchtime session for council staff. 4 of the group joined us – Naomi, Amanda, Pauline and Becky. Out of this four, only one had previously taken part in a Race for Life event previously, in memory of her mother-in-law who had suffered with cancer.



These four ladies had all joined the group about 4 weeks previously as true beginners. They all admitted to being terrified at their first session, and very reluctant to do exercise in the beautiful grounds – right in front of their work colleagues! However, there is no stopping them now, they didn’t even glance up at the windows where their fellow workers were sat working. Instead there was lots of shrieking and laughter as Sally and Helen got them taking part in lots of games and friendly competitions – including tag, and relay racing.

When asked about their confidence, they all said that initially they’d only be willing to go out very early in the morning, mainly through fear of being seen. But now, they feel proud of what they have achieved, and don’t mind who sees them. Their advice to other beginners who don’t think that they can take up running is – everyone feels the same at the first session, but find yourself a nice friendly group leader, and they will help you overcome your fears.

The workplace group at Appletree Court was championed by district council worker Jamie Burton. He’s done a lot to motivate the staff based there, and supported Sally and Helen start up their group. The ladies who attended the 45 minute session said that they love having the opportunity to get out at lunchtime and do some sport – saying that it helped clear their heads, and sends them back to work in the afternoon feeling really positive and raring to go.

Although Sally and Helen did think that the This Girl Can campaign a little patronising, they do include a little “jiggy jog” at their own running sessons.

As the group finished their session, there was much talk of what to wear when they take part in the Race for Life event. They are keen to wear their matching Run England T shirts, but were going to make sure that pink also featured – making use of their free pink nail varnish and lipstick provided by CRUK!

RYA Runners with Beth Ingason

Beth Ingason attended the Leadership in Running Fitness course in February 2016. Beth is a member of Hedge End Running Club, and had been persuaded to train to be a leader so that she could help lead groups of runners at club runs. When Beth heard the call for Group Leaders to start up beginner running groups to target the Cancer Reserach UK (CRUK) events, she thought this would be a great opportunity to start a workplace running group based at the RYA Headquarters in Hamble. With the added impetus to aim for a 5k event, the group has become popular with members of staff.

Still only a small group, there are 2 or 3 complete beginner runners/walkers, and some others with more experience. Most of the group have previously taken part in a Race for Life event, but several years ago. Some of the group had family or close friends that have been affected by cancer in the past, but the main motivation this year for getting involved has been the fact that some of their work colleagues are currently facing the dreadful effects of cancer. So raising money and awareness of CRUK has become one of their objectives. In fact, alongside taking part in the Race for Life, the company also held a fund-raising afternoon tea last month and raised £90 in aid of CRUK.

Speaking with the running group members, the reason they’ve joined the group is that it gives them an incentive to actually pull their running shoes on and get out the office. As common amongst office-workers, the tendency is to sit in front of a computer screen all day without moving. Knowing that others are meeting to go out for a run encourages them to walk away from their desk and get out into the fresh air. There’s certainly some lovely places to run nearby, the group can go and challenge themselves running along the beach of the River Hamble, or head up through footpaths to the Royal Victoria Park at Netley. The group members have the advantage of having the Netley parkrun on their doorstep, and this provides an excellent opportunity for them to monitor their progress.

Another reason for starting up a lunchtime running group is that the RYA are part of the Workplace Challenge, and in general the workforce is trying to become more active. A regular yoga session had already been set up, and it was thought that by providing a running group, this may encourage more people to keep fit. In fact since starting the running group Beth has joined the company’s social club committee and has become very pro-active in organising different events to bring the workforce together.

Asked about the This Girl Can campaign, Beth says that she thought it inspirational and encouraging. She says that the first major milestone is actually getting staff to leave their desks at lunchtime and join her.

With her enthusiasm raised, Beth is determined to continue the running group post the CRUK events, and is now thinking of offering it to the other companies based in the neighbouring offices.