School Sport Unit

School Sport Australia (SSA) is inviting schools to express interest in representing SSA at the She Runs … Active Girls’ Lead program in Paris in March 2019 presented by the International School Sport Federation (ISF). SSA is a member of the ISF and has a long history of competing in ISF events including athletics, cross country and tennis championships.

The She Runs … Active Girls’ Lead program is the first and largest ISF event dedicated to girl students. It is a unique non-profit sport program supported by the European Commission Erasmus+ Program. The ISF believes that to reach gender equality, it is crucial to prepare the ground for girls, as early as possible, to become the women who can achieve their dreams. The ISF) is convinced that school can be a safe and inspiring environment that facilitates youth development equally. They consider sport as a soft and dynamic tool that allows young people to discover themselves and their abilities.

The She Runs … Active Girls’ Lead is an international program that aims to promote physical activity and develop leadership and empowerment of girl students through school sport. It is a one year program, consisting of several actions that aim to bring together sport and education to reach gender equality in sport. One component of the project will be held on March 11 - 15, 2019 in Paris, France. Moreover, the week in question will be articulated around one symbolic race on March 13, 2019, in the heart of Paris. Throughout the week, participants will also be invited to take part in multi-dimension activities linking sport, culture, education and innovation, while stressing the potential of sport and school sport in addressing gender equality.

Schools will be allowed to send four students accompanied by a Head of Delegation. All girl students willing to participate in the She Runs … Active Girls’ Lead program must:

• Be born in years 2001, 2002, 2003 or 2004;
• Be registered as students in the school they represent;
• Represent the country in which their school is located;
• Be enthusiastic, and interested in the core objectives of the event;
• Be willing to actively participate in all the activities proposed by the event;
• Be able to communicate in English, for a more successful cultural exchange between participants.

The Head of Delegation willing to participate in the She Runs … Active Girls’ Lead program must:

• Be physical education teacher, school sport staff or any person nominated by the school sport entity to undertake the responsibilities of the Head of Delegation position;
• Be enthusiastic, and interested in the core objectives of the project;
• Be able to fluently communicate in English;
• Accompany the girls throughout the event and actively take part in all activities proposed by the event.

SSA desires that the Head of Delegation is a teacher from the school.

SSA wishes to make it quite clear that participation at the event in Paris in March 2019 will be entirely self-funded. SSA’s understanding is that attendance at the event would most likely cost at least $15,000 (airfares, event registration, accommodation, meals) for the four students and Head of Delegation. This is before any additional educational opportunities or travel that schools may wish to participate in.

To be considered for selection as the school to represent SSA, schools must commit to the following criteria.

• Pay a deposit for the event to the value of 1100€, which is half of the registration fee of total 2200€ by 16 November 2018. The balance of the registration fee is due by 15 January 2019.
• Be prepared to pay deposits and the remaining balance of all other expenses (e.g. airfares, insurance) when required. Schools can engage their own travel supplier or use the supplier suggested by SSA.
• Prepare a presentation by 30 November 2018 on the role of schools in women’s sports. In particular, the presentation must identify the initiatives of their own school that are promoting female participation in sport. Schools must also be able to demonstrate they already support SSA values and be able to do so in Paris as they will be representing SSA. The presentation will be considered by a panel of SSA representatives in order to select the winning school. It is SSA’s intention to announce the winning school by 21 December 2018.

If a school is interested in being considered for selection to represent SSA at the She Runs … Active Girls’ Lead program or requires further information then they should contact the SSA Office on 03 0067 8600 or via email at info@schoolsportaustralia.edu.au