As part of the Victorian Government's Women in Sport and Recreation Initiative the Bendigo Regional YMCA has been working on a number of programs and activities to increase women's participation in sport and active recreation, both in playing and non playing roles.
GAP - The Get Active Program (GAP) is a 10 week program that addresses the many barrriers to participation in physical activity. Supported by the Victorian Government, Bendigo YMCA recently implemented the program, which originally came from Wisemoves in South Australia. The program brought together ladies from the Eaglehawk and Long Gully Areas who are over 50 years of age, for motivating and practical talks about staying healthy and active. The talks were followed by activities such as walking and swimming, conducted as a group. The program had a very positive response and planning is underway to implement GAP in another location in the Bendigo area.
'On the Move' - started for the 'graduates' of the GAP, 'On the Move' is a weekly relaxed group session, open to everyone which promotes the importance of the group in encouraging and maintaining physical activity. Individual motivation is important to maintain physical activity, but being involved in a group provides extra support and motivation. Supported by the Victorian Government, the weekly sessions are based around walking and water activities, such as swimming or stretching, to relax muscles. 'On the Move' provides the important components for women's participation in physical activity; Fun, Friendship and Fitness.
'On the Run' - weekly fitness/running training sessions. Open to everyone of all fitness levels, but ideally suited to mum's, timed to coincide with school drop off. Children of all ages are welcome and encouraged. Sessions are taken by a fully qualified coach, based around running and skills development, they can accommodate all ages and fitness levels. Supported by the Victorian Government, the program encourages role modelling with children joining in the activities at their leisure. All sessions are relaxed and encapsulate the main components of physical activity for women - Fun, Friendship, Fitness and most of all Family.
Bendigo regional women's AFL – Supported by the Victorian Government, the Bendigo Regional YMCA is conducting a feasibility study into the establishment of a women’s representative AFL team for the Bendigo region. With 375 young women playing AFL in the Bendigo School Girls AFL competition and 88 playing in the Youth Girls AFL competition, the Bendigo Regional YMCA, supported by the Victorian Government, is looking to continue the pathway for young women's participation in AFL in Central Victoria.
V.A.F.L survey
V.W.F.L information form
Sports Clubs - The Bendigo Regional YMCA is working closely with Sports Focus to ensure that sporting clubs, provide an inviting environment for all new members, especially women. By ensuring women are catered for appropriately in sporting clubs, it opens up the opportunity for increased membership and volunteers to assist in all manners of club structures.
La Trobe University - community integration program - showcasing to local and international students from La Trobe uni, what the Bendigo regional YMCA has to offer; Facilities - Indoor Rock climbing, Yxtreme Adventures, indoor and outdoor heated pools. Job opportunities - Life guards, holiday program staff, project officers, health club.........
Schools programs - Eaglehawk - 'Active Girls', Leadership program, traditional games
- East Loddon - Sports clinics - Vixens, Leadership program
Leadership program - the Bendigo Regional YMCA's leadreship program, takes elected student leaders and representatives out of the school environment and teaches them multi skill games which enable them to target their leadership skills and build rapport with their fellow students.
Active Girls - the Active Girls program, is a 10 week program run through school terms, which takes young women from Eaglehawk Secondary School, who do not normally participate within school based physical education programs, to the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre for girls only aerobics sessions. This allows the girls to participate without the concerns of being 'surrounded' by boys or the pressure of 'being watched'.
Traditional Games - The traditional games program encourages secondary school students to learn traditional school yard games that don't require equipment. The students then take on a leadership role, teaching these games to students in primary schools. The secondary school students become teachers, and advocates for physical activity. The primary school students get to have fun while being active.