Sporting taster sessions

5:29pm Monday 19th May 2008

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IT began with rowing and over the next few months the Bishop's Forum's outreach programme, Sportlink, will include a wide range of sporting activities to promote social inclusion and understanding amongst teenage girls.

Seven sporting taster sessions have been arranged by the Cornwall-based charity targeting young women aged between 13 and 19 from different social backgrounds.

The aim of the sessions is to increase self-confidence, break down social barriers and encourage young people to respect each other and learn the importance of working together, as well as increasing fitness levels.

Bishop's Forum outreach worker, Becky Frost, whose Sportlink work is funded by a donation from Children in Need, said the rowing session on Stithians Lake had been a complete success.

Becky said: "The five girls in the first session were all from the same school but not from the same social groups. Under the expert tuition of Kate Conway, captain of the Greenbank Rowing Club, you could see the girls' self confidence increase, new friendships develop and they were soon working well together as a team.

"Rowing is very difficult but all the young women showed determination and effort, picking up the skills excellently. Every one of them was keen to take up rowing on a more permanent basis, which was an extremely positive outcome."

There are six more sessions planned between May and October, funds permitting. They include yoga, fencing, blocarting - wind powered carts -, coasteering - like mountaineering but along the coastline - surfing and Tai Kwan Do.

There is also a week-long intensive Sportlink summer camp to be held at The Bishop's Forum in August, again aiming to encourage social cohesion and healthy living.

The next taster session for young women is a yoga session on Saturday May 31 at Budock Village Hall, delivered by Athayoga. For more information on the taster sessions call Becky on 01326 340912