In a time when staying active can be a challenge, Gerringong’s Girls Run Club has stepped up, creating a fun and supportive space for girls and women to embrace movement. Recently chosen by Olympian Suzy Balogh as the winners of the NavSports 2024 Sponsorship competition, this grassroots initiative is proving that sport can be inclusive, empowering, and impactful.

The Girls Run Club, led by Amy Kline, is much more than a running group. It’s a community focused on promoting health, confidence, and social connection. With a free, social structure, the club invites participants of all abilities to experience the joy of running in a non-competitive environment. Since June 2024, the 8–17-year-old group has been providing a safe space for girls to engage in sport, while the recently launched 18+ group extends the club’s ethos to women of all ages.

Amy highlights a key issue the club seeks to address: the alarming rate at which adolescent girls drop out of sport. Social pressures, body image concerns, and lack of encouragement often lead young girls to disengage from physical activity. Initiatives like the Girls Run Club counter these trends by fostering a supportive and relaxed atmosphere, demonstrating that sport can be about camaraderie and personal growth, not competition.

Beyond running, the club integrates an educational program to empower its members. Guest speakers, including women’s health professionals, dietitians, and confidence coaches, share valuable insights on topics like nutrition, body image, and self-care. These sessions provide tools for members to develop not just as athletes, but as individuals confident in their own skin.

The NavSports sponsorship money is a game-changer for the Girls Run Club. The funds will enhance their educational offerings, reward regular attendance through the “Love to Run” program, and provide sponsorship for members to participate in fun runs in 2025. These opportunities allow members to set goals, build confidence, and engage with the broader running community.

Initiatives like the Girls Run Club are essential in creating a culture where girls and women feel valued in sport. They tackle barriers head-on, encouraging lifelong participation in physical activity and promoting mental and physical well-being.

By normalising inclusivity and education, programmes like this pave the way for stronger, healthier, and more connected communities. The club’s recognition through NavSports is a well-deserved win, and their work sets an inspiring example for others across the country.

For those in Gerringong and beyond, the Girls Run Club is a reminder that sport is for everyone, no matter their age or ability.

For more information about the Girls Run Club, visit loveforrunning.org or follow them on Instagram @girlsrunclubgerringong.