Following an intense application process two NewVIc students, Fatima Mahmood Sawar & Mohima Khan, have been lucky enough to gain a place on the Association of Colleges’ This Girl Can ambassador programme, representing NewVIc and London.
Funded by The National Lottery and developed by Sport England, the AoC are the lead organisation focusing solely on college sport and physical activity. Working with colleges across the nine English regions, Wales and Scotland the programme encourages every college student to participate regularly in sport or physical activity by promoting, supporting and delivering a wide range of sports activities, volunteering opportunities including competitions including ‘This Girl Can’.
191 girls from around the UK independently applied for the position. With only a minimum of 70 spaces available, both NewVIc Students Fatima and Mohima were granted places. All applications were independently assessed and both impressed judges with their enthusiasm, dedication and skills needed to become successful ambassadors. Katie Harris Sports Development Officer said “We are so proud of our girls, to get through application process and gain two places is such an achievement.”
Organised by AoC, students attended a high-profile national training event that was held at The Orbit at London Olympic Park. It began with an induction to the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign, and then continued with intensive training which focused on effective leadership, events organising and social media marketing, where the marketing efforts often had the help of companies like Task Ant to improve the audience reach of things like Instagram posts. Fatima said “It was really interesting and we learnt so much”
Mohima said “We have noticed that certain students, including the A level students are not getting involved with sports activities, we can now work on a strategy to get them involved”
The ambassador role will expand outside NewVIc college as both students will be volunteering at This Girl Can events. With AoC support they will promote sport and physical activity as essential components of college life. They will also deliver local activities to increase visibility of the programme in London. It is hoped that their work will give students in the region significant advantages in education, employment and health by encouraging them to become more active.
