THUNDER BAY— The city held it's third annual INSPIRE event at Lakehead University last week to provide a safe space for Grade 8 girls to try new sports.
Students spent May 13 connecting with 40 local high school leaders and community partners through 18 different activities and sports.
“It's my favourite day of the year because it's an opportunity for Grade 8 girls to get together,” said Trisha Heino, sport development coordinator for the City of Thunder Bay.
A news release issued by the city said that “one in three girls drop out of sport by the age of 16 compared to one in 10 boys. Additionally, many girls did not return to sport after the pandemic,”
Some of the community partnerships challenging these stereotypes include Thunder Bay Lacrosse, Morgan School of Highland Dance, Giant Gymnastics, Superior Secondary Schools Athletic Association and the eating disorder prevention team from St Joseph's Care Group.
“We've been playing a couple of mini games and it's nice to see everyone out and actually engaged,” said Alyssa Piccolo of Thunder Bay Lacrosse.
“Everyone kind of starts off a little bit nervous, but as soon as they get into the games and everything, they seem to open up a lot more,” she said.
Victoria Kakepetum, a Grade 8 student from Claude E. Garton school, attended the event and said she was excited to try out all of the new sports.
“Its great, I love it here,” she said.
With social barriers like beauty standards and gender stereotypes removed, Heino says the girls are more inclined to participate in new sports and activities
“They're short rotations so the girls that don't normally participate in things, they're involved and they're engaged,” said Heino.
“It was just so amazing to see them just be comfortable and be girls and do things together,” she said.
