As part of its ongoing commitment to championing women\u2019s sport, the BBC\u2019s Names Will Be Made campaign has united BBC Children in Need and The Sweaty Betty Foundation to make a meaningful impact on girls\u2019 wellbeing and participation in sport in Manchester.<\/p>\n
This week, as part of the campaign, the BBC visited Aim4Hope, a BBC Children in Need-funded project, to see first-hand how funding from BBC Children in Need is helping young girls build confidence, develop healthy relationships with their bodies, and engage in physical activity.<\/p>\n
Aim4Hope is currently supported by a two-year grant from BBC Children in Need to deliver a wellbeing programme for girls in Manchester. The initiative promotes physical activity, mindfulness, and emotional resilience, helping participants foster self-acceptance and build positive role models.<\/p>\n
In response to 2023 research* from Women in Sport revealing that only 36% of girls aged 11\u201318 wear a sports bra during PE or sport at school, this visit saw the BBC deliver sports bras and a number of sport hijabs donated by the Sweaty Betty Foundation to the project. The research also found that 69% of girls felt restricted in movement and 72% felt self-conscious due to lack of appropriate sportswear.<\/p>\n
As part of the visit, Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale, Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University spoke to the BBC about the importance of championing women in sport.<\/p>\n
Claire Hoyle, Director of Income, Marketing and Communications at BBC Children in Need, adds: “We\u2019re proud to support Aim4Hope and the incredible work they\u2019re doing to help girls in Manchester thrive. The support from The BBC and The Sweaty Betty Foundation is a brilliant example of how collaboration can break down barriers and create lasting change for young people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale says: “Sport has the power to transform lives, but only if girls feel confident and supported to take part. Something as simple as a sports bra can make a huge difference in helping girls feel comfortable and empowered to move freely and enjoy sport. Visiting Aim4Hope was incredibly inspiring\u2014these young women will learn a lesson for life about the importance of sports bras thanks to this donation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Damien Samuels, Founder at Aim4Hope, comments: \u201cWe\u2019re incredibly grateful to BBC Children in Need and The Sweaty Betty Foundation their support. The donation of sports bras and hijabs will make a real difference to the young women we work with, helping them feel more confident and comfortable when taking part in physical activity. This is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when we come together to support young women\u2019s wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, CEO at Women in Sport, says: “Just 14% of girls say sports bras are on their PE kit list yet 56% say they feel discomfort or pain whilst exercising without one. This initiative will raise awareness of these issues and give hundreds of girls the chance to rediscover the joy of sport. All schools should include sports bras on their PE kit lists so girls can enjoy the freedom of sport and exercise, without worrying about what they look like or experiencing unnecessary pain.”<\/p>\n
With the Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup and The Hundred under way and the World Athletics Championships around the corner, the visit marks a key moment in the Names Will Be Made campaign, which continues to build on the BBC\u2019s legacy of supporting women\u2019s sport and inspiring the next generation of female athletes.<\/p>\n
Afsana Lachaux, Director of Sweaty Betty Foundation, comments: \u201cWe\u2019re proud to support this initiative. With so many girls feeling self-conscious in their PE kit, it\u2019s clear that inclusive and comfortable clothing can significantly boost confidence and participation in sport and physical activity. Every girl, regardless of her background, deserves the joy of movement.\u201d<\/p>\n