Girls with Grit - Sport Wood Buffalo Association

Girls with Grit is an annual sport summit designed to inspire girls ages 8–13 to discover the joy of being active in a fun, supportive, and non-competitive environment. This year, girls choose 6 sport sessions out of 14 different options. There were also 3 group activities included of dance, yoga and a craft and chat, where participants learned about positive talk and made their own “player card” they then were able to get their friends to write positive messages on.

• There were 104 girls ages 8 - 12 that attended the event, have a chance to choose sessions like, Rugby, Judo, Rock Climbing, Ninja Course, Basketball, Tennis, Cheer, Celtic Dance, Ringette, Volleyball, Strong Girls, and Baseball.
• Registration fees were kept low to reduce financial barriers, while transportation was provided for participants from surrounding rural and Indigenous communities to ensure geography was not a barrier to participation.
• The event was delivered in a safe, supervised recreational setting with experienced instructors, volunteers, and community partners who created a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere where girls felt comfortable trying new activities without the pressure of competition.
• By addressing barriers such as cost, transportation, limited access to sport opportunities, and confidence to participate, Girls with Grit helped create an inclusive experience that encouraged girls to be active, connect with their peers, and develop a positive relationship with sport that can last a lifetime.

The event was intentionally designed to create an environment where every participant felt safe, supported, and empowered. Rather than assigning participants to activities, girls were given the opportunity to choose the sport sessions they wanted to attend, allowing them to participate in activities where they felt comfortable and confident while also encouraging them to try something new if they wished.