This Girl Can and on 23 July, this girl did!

Updated: 26 July 2022

How do you inspire women to keep fit and healthy by being active? Well, one way is to launch a special programme which offers a wide range of local facilities and activities – and that is exactly what is happening in Three Rivers district.

By Cllr Debbie Morris, Chair of Three Rivers District Council

How do you inspire women to keep fit and healthy by being active? Well, one way is to launch a special programme which offers a wide range of local facilities and activities – and that is exactly what is happening in Three Rivers district.

The This Girl Can in Herts programme hosted by Everyone Active at South Oxhey Leisure Centre is a great initiative which promotes women’s sport and encourages women and girls to start exercising or even get back to it if they are out of the habit.

On Saturday I was delighted to visit the leisure centre with my consort and husband, Andrew, and the council’s Lead Member for Leisure, Cllr Chris Lloyd, to find out more about the programme.

It’s really important for everyone to do some physical activity on a regular basis to improve our health and wellbeing. A recent survey found that almost half of the female population do no regular exercise at all.

I was really impressed with the range of activities on offer at South Oxhey Leisure Centre and the amazing facilities there too. I took part in a game of pickleball – a combination of table tennis and badminton – had a colour path golf lesson and even used some of the gym equipment. I opted out of dipping into the huge pool on this occasion but may try it in the future. The water looked very inviting and was clearly being enjoyed by a number of women and girls.

Aside from sporting activities and exercise classes, creative programmes are also run from the leisure centre. These include art, knitting and sewing.

So why not visit South Oxhey Leisure Centre this week and give something a go? The staff will be only too happy to help you.

After my tour, I spoke to volunteers on the Ascend  stall and BeeZee Bodies  stall. These wonderful organisations run a number of free programmes in the community tackling obesity, offering careers guidance, safety and first aid. For anyone with concerns about these issues, please get in touch.

For more information visit https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/south-oxhey-leisure-centre/  To contact me please email  committeeteam@threerivers.gov.uk