Places Leisure introduces “Big Sister” mentors and free memberships to support girls into sport

We are delighted to introduce our game-changing Big Sister project across all of our 100 leisure centres in England to encourage and support girls aged 9-15 years old into sport and exercise during puberty.

The programme helps girls aged 9-15 years old feel ‘sport ready’ with the support of Big Sisters who will be based in all Places Leisure centres. The Big Sisters are peer leaders and supporters from sport, school and community organisations and are trained on the emotional and physical barriers girls face during puberty.

In addition to this, the Big Sister project offers free or half-price memberships with us, giving the girls access to gyms, swimming, age-appropriate classes, community engagement and more.

Women in Sport research found that six in ten girls say judgement from others stops them from being active and 43% of those who once considered themselves sporty fell out of love with sport in their teens.

So, in 2022, we partnered with Women in Sport to launch the Big Sister project in 11 of its leisure centres. Women in Sport research shows that since then 64% of girls that engaged in the project now enjoy taking part in sport and exercise more and 62% said their overall confidence has improved. 

The project will now be rolled out nationally from 5 August 2024 across all of our centres*.

Sarah Roberts, Head of Fitness at Places Leisure said: “We have learnt so much about preconceptions and barriers in place when looking to engage girls going through puberty into activity.

“Inequality also remains huge for women in sport and we want to do all we can to break these barriers down at and early age and make sure girls feel comfortable and confident in places of exercise.

“The Big Sister project is game-changing as we will support any girl aged 9-15 years old with their own local ambassador who will champion the benefits and enjoyment of sport, exercise and physical activity to girls and support them into making it a part of their life. Crucially, the programme is shaped by girls, for girls and provides those we support with real role models who have faced the same challenges they do.

“As part of the project, the package we offer includes free or half-price memberships, which gives the girls access to gyms, swimming, classes and more at such an important time of their life.”

Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Women in Sport CEO said: “Thanks to the commitment and dedication of Places Leisure, thousands of girls across the UK will have the opportunity to access gyms, pools and sport while being properly supported to do so. Big Sister has debunked the myth that teenage girls are naturally averse to exercise. We are currently experiencing a mental health crisis among our teenage girls, and we know exercise can be a powerful remedy. There has never been a more crucial time to encourage girls to get active."

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More information on eligibility can be found here

*Places Gym Preston and Places Gym Hinckley not included.