Wellington women encouraged to get active and have fun

Thursday 28 March 2019

Women in Wellington are invited to get active and empowered with the launch of This Girl Can in Sale.

Wellington Shire Council is teaming with VicHealth and GippSport to provide a heap of opportunities for women in our community to start moving and have some fun.

The launch event will take place at Aqua Energy on Saturday 6 April, with the opportunity to try a free session of stand-up paddle boarding and/or free flow yoga after a formal launch and morning tea.

There will also be a calendar of further events launched, which will include women’s basketball, yoga, gymnastics and a range of aquatic activities to take place throughout April and early May.

The This Girl Can campaign features everyday Victorian women instead of professional athletes or airbrushed Instagram models and is about empowering women to feel comfortable in their bodies and in public spaces – regardless of their ability, how they look or how sweaty they get.

“This Girl Can – Victoria has had real success in building a supportive community of women who encourage each other to get out there and get active,” Wellington Shire Council Mayor Alan Hall said.

“There’ll be a range of free, fun and inclusive activities provided on the day that will help women take that first and often daunting step to being active.

“From that day we hope to offer further activities for local women and create sustainable programs that can allow for ongoing participation.”

GippSport chief executive Daniel Poynton said the This Girl Can campaign had been promoted through the localised Gippy Girls Can spin off.

“To be able to align to a state-wide campaign is great for Wellington and will empower more woman to get active,” he said.

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said This Girl Can was about empowering everyday women to get active in their local community without feeling judged.

“We want all women – no matter how sweaty they get, how red their face is or how good they are – to feel comfortable about getting out there and giving physical activity a go,” she said.

“That’s what This Girl Can – Victoria is all about.”

For further information about This Girl Can events in Wellington, visit www.gippygirlscan.com/wellington