The SPAR Lancashire School Games continues to inspire young people across the region, and this year marked a record for female participation, thanks to the Girls Active programme, delivered in alignment with Sport England’s empowering This Girl Can campaign.

Record engagement

In its 10th anniversary year, the This Girl Can campaign inspired over 700 girls from Lancashire’s primary and secondary schools to take part in a wide range of inclusive activities through the 2024–25 SPAR Lancashire School Games.

Designed to tackle the gender gap in physical activity, This Girl Can promotes confidence and resilience through regular exercise. Girls Active events delivered everything from dance and glow dodgeball to padel, climbing, spinning, and fitness tennis, helping girls explore physical activity in a fun, non-competitive way.

Empowering Confidence, Building Connections

Run by Active Lancashire and the School Games Organiser Network, the Girls Active initiative focuses on accessibility and enjoyment, especially for girls who may face challenges related to cost, body image, or low self-esteem.

Andy Clark, Schools Partnership and Skills Officer at Active Lancashire, said:
“We’ve had our biggest year yet. Girls Active helps reach those typically disengaged from sport. The variety of activities and safe environment makes a huge impact.”

Nic Greaves, Head of PE at Parklands High School, added: “It was wonderful to see our pupils confident and smiling. Many told us they felt great about themselves and had fun making new friends — even parents reached out to say how much their daughters enjoyed it.”

In total, the SPAR Lancashire School Games engaged 26,000 children in 2023–24 through 27 events, with sponsorship from James Hall & Co. Ltd.

Source: James Hall & Co. Ltd

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About SPAR UK

The United Kingdom became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted a licence to utilise the SPAR brand to a group of independent wholesalers. There are five regional organisations in the UK, continually building the brand’s presence. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR in the UK comprises independently owned and licensed retailers as well as company-owned stores.