Mark your calendars!
This Girl Can Week will be back again from 10–17 November 2024.
In the lead up our supporters will create events for women right across the state.
Browse This Girl Can supporters and check their websites to see who’s hosting events, or check your local council events page.
Follow the checklist on the VicHealth website.
This Girl Can Week is a week where This Girl Can supporters provide free or low-cost opportunities for women to try new activities. And this year’s message is simple – it’s about moving in ways that work for you.
You don’t have to run a marathon or spend hours at the gym. You could go for a walk around the block or kick a soccer ball with your kids in the park.
All that matters is that you find a way to experience the joy of movement – for your physical and mental health.
We spoke to This Girl Can ambassadors, Courtney and Miranda, about how movement helps them feel mentally and physically better, and the energy surrounding our favourite football (soccer) team.
Courtney: After seeing the trajectory of the stats in women’s sport absolutely going through the roof with media, knowing the Matildas final is the number one rated sporting event ever. My phone personally has been ringing since then.
I don’t know how to bend it like Beckham, but I’m loving the energy I’m seeing off the back of the World Cup and the AFLW.
For This Girl Can Week I’m hosting several Lawn Bowls events, which are encouraging people to bring a friend. So many of us who are involved in sport take the messaging or intention of a program for granted.
It can be easy to forget the social anxiety people experience when they are new to a gym – so encouraging people to come with someone else is key.
Miranda: I love that it’s normalising women’s sport. The magic of the Matildas was seen in our lounge rooms, in schools and in the community at large. One of the most heartening moments for me has been seeing boys playing football in the yard and calling each other the names of female players.
Suddenly it seems like there’s an equal playing field and sport isn’t being segregated to a certain gender or a type of person. The progress in this space is super inspirational and super encouraging and it feels like my daughter will walk into a different world than we walked into.
Miranda: It’s hard, it’s very, very hard. I’m really lucky to have a supportive husband who understands my commitment to Roller Derby. Outside of that I think making it non-negotiable is important because it’s like self-care – for me, it’s a place where I don’t have to be anyone else – I’m not a mum, I’m not a partner, I’m not in my day job – I’m just me.
The other part to it, is about doing things together. Riley has got to the level where we can put our skates on and really slowly head down the path together. So, it’s quality time and getting all the physical and mental health benefits that come from doing exercise.
If you look at top level Roller Derby, it’s a high impact, quite athletic sport and it takes six to nine months before you’re allowed to play at that level but it can be intimidating if you don’t know that training starts with teaching you how to stop and fall and how you’ve got to celebrate your successes along the way. It’s also a sport that’s about not comparing yourself to others and we focus a lot on that message and coaching because we know that first step is the hardest barrier to overcome.
Courtney: I think if the workplace can become accommodating with incorporating exercise into the workday – that’s huge. One thing we’ve been doing is taking virtual meetings on a walk, the person whoever is chairing will stay at home so they aren’t navigating footpaths while trying to take notes but everyone else in the meeting will go for a walk, even if it’s just the first twenty minutes. This means people don’t then have to find that time which can be hard when you have to commute home, cook dinner and do all your other life tasks.
The other suggestions are the small bits of movement you can incorporate into your daily routine, things like:
If you just do that little something it makes you feel so much mentally better.
This Girl Can Week is about doing things that will make you feel good. It’s about giving something new a go or adding that extra little bit of movement into your week and of course, celebrating your wins along the way. As Courtney and Miranda have shown, carving out time for movement is important. Because, when you feel good, people in your life benefit from it too!
Meet Miranda. Mum of Riley.
Miranda is a computer programmer by day and a keen roller derby player on weekends and weeknights. For Miranda, there’s nothing quite like roller derby. The sport takes all her focus so she can forget about the worries of everyday life and get in touch with her playful side. And the feeling of being in a room full of other women who are passionate and supportive keeps her going.
Being able to take her kid, Riley, under her wing and share the joy of playing the sport has been an absolute joy for Miranda. Wearing matching uniforms, Riley is with her mum for all her bouts. She already joins in on the warmups on Sundays and wants to join the league when she turns 18!
Roller derby helps Miranda reconnect with herself and balance her time spent between home, family, and work. “It really is a meditation on skates whilst bumping into people and you walk away reset. (…) [And] the family and your kids get the benefits.” Miranda shares.
Hear more from Miranda here:
Keen to push yourself further, want to be more active, or just get started with an activity?
Want to start at home in under 10 minutes?
Looking for more inspiration first?
Jessica, from the Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta tribes, grew up in country Victoria and played sports growing up. Now, a mother of two, she reflects on how she put the exercise on the back burner for a while, until her friend encouraged her to apply for the Rob De Castella Indigenous Marathon Foundation project.
As one of 12 runners in the Marathon Project across the country, today, Jessica shares how she found ways to incorporate physical activity into her everyday life.
“When I first started running after having [my younger son,] Wirin, he would cry, get upset. But after a few months, he realised it was normal that mum goes running. Now, when I go out the door, Wirin would like to come with me. He’ll jump in the jogger, and we head off up the road. And sometimes he stays in and sometimes he gets out and runs next to me.”
Jessica feels “grounded and connected” when she runs and credits running as helping her get through a tough time in her life and making her a better mum. “when I get out amongst the trees, you know, out in the country, I just am able to ground myself.” And the camaraderie in her running group motivates her to keep going. “When you’re having a hard day and they give you that encouragement and say, come on, let’s do this, you’ll feel better. And you always do.” She says as she shares a laugh with her Heywood Deadlies running group.
Her idea of having a great time is playing basketball with her elder son Nason. “Being outside with Nason, sharing something that he loves to do and that I love to do as well, and we get to enjoy that together.”
Hear from Jessica here:
Keen to push yourself further, want to be more active, or just get started with an activity?
Want to start at home in under 10 minutes?
Looking for more inspiration first?
We’re celebrating and supporting everyday women to get active in ways that suit them. Whether it’s with friends, family or solo, head out this spring and get moving for your own enjoyment.
Join in the activities during This Girl Can Week, from 9 – 15 October 2023. Featuring a stack of fun, free (or low-cost) activities designed to welcome beginners, and those who are curious enough to try something new.
Ways to engage in the campaign
Check out Our Supporters – physical activity providers, clubs, gyms, facilities, and organisations who will offer fun, beginner friendly and come-and-try events through the week and beyond.
Become a supporter and help promote This Girl Can Week in your community.
Keep an eye on our events page for the list of activities happening around Victoria.
Or, if you’re keen to get moving now, check out these Get active @ home activities you can access and activate anywhere, anytime!
Looking for more inspo?
Hear from our This Girl Can – Victoria ambassadors’ stories on how they got into different kinds of sports to get active and feel good.
And join our This Girl Can – Victoria community via social on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Questions?
Reach out to us at thisgirlcan@vichealth.vic.gov.au.
Learn more about This Girl Can – Victoria campaign here.
We’re coming out of winter and connecting in a safe way.
Whether it’s with friends, family, or a dedicated group of people, let’s get outside and be active.
Whether it’s walking, hiking, cycling, or chasing the kids around the park, there’s a fun way that you can get active this Spring.
Click here to see a list of events that are happening around Victoria.
Our Supporters made of physical activity providers, clubs, gyms, facilities, and organisations will offer fun, beginner friendly and come-and-try events through the week.
Walk through their doors and try news ways to get active!
Or check out these Get active @ home activities that you can access and activate anywhere, anytime!
Looking for some inspo?
Check out our This Girl Can – Victoria ambassadors’ stories on how they got into different kinds of sports to get active and feel good.
And join our This Girl Can – Victoria community via social on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Want to support more women get active?
Sign up to be a campaign supporter today and access FREE resources to engage more women in a physical activity.
Questions? Reach out to us at thisgirlcan@vichealth.vic.gov.au.
Learn more about This Girl Can – Victoria campaign here.
This Girl Can Week is back for 2022 with a fresh new spin – This Girl Can Week is moving to Spring which means more time to plan for organisations and warmer days to enjoy activities for those participating.
So please mark Monday 12 September – Sunday 18 September 2022 in your calendar for This Girl Can Week 2022.
We’re so excited to support you in encouraging more Victorian women to be active this Spring. We’ll be updating our This Girl Can – Victoria resources in the Supporters Hub shortly and will let you know when they’re ready for you to download and use.
Stay tuned for more details, we’ll be back in touch with more details.
Does your organisation want to get involved? Sign up as a This Girl Can – Victoria supporter to access resources.
Keep an eye on our Facebook for updates on This Girl Can Week and how you can get involved and get active this Spring!
Despite the challenges of 2021, more than 340,000 women across Victoria have been inspired to get active and stay active as a result of VicHealth’s This Girl Can – Victoria campaign, making it the campaign’s most successful year yet1.
What’s even more impressive, 8 in 10 (81%) of the women who got active after seeing the campaign, were still keeping active 4 months later2.
Victorian Minister for Women Gabrielle Williams said: “The This Girl Can campaign is empowering women to be active and breaking down outdated stereotypes of what they can or can’t achieve in the gym, on the sporting fields, in our neighbourhoods and in the great outdoors.
“This is about leveling the playing field and enabling more women to prioritise their own health and well-being, embracing physical activity that suits them in supportive and welcoming environments.”
The La Trobe University survey found that the women who did something active as a result of This Girl Can – Victoria in 2021 enjoyed a range of health benefits, including:
VicHealth’s Head of This Girl Can – Victoria, Melanie Fineberg, said we must support women to be active in ways that feel good and suit them.
“It’s so great to see that so many women across Victoria are making their physical and mental wellbeing a priority this year, despite the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. And we’re excited that the This Girl Can – Victoria campaign could support them on their journey,” Ms Fineberg said.
“Women have had to juggle so much yet again, from home schooling and parenting to work, study and other commitments. Physical activity and movement have positive impacts on mental wellbeing, so it’s more important than ever for all of us to support women to keep active in any way they can.”
Justine’s story – inspired to move more
Justine Streager, 32 from Keysborough in Melbourne, says This Girl Can – Victoria has inspired her to get active and connect with other active women, while juggling motherhood, working from home and the many other challenges of life in 2021.
“I really resonate with the messaging of This Girl Can, because it’s all about just getting out and giving it a go without fear of judgement,” Justine says.
“Worrying about what others think is something that has plagued my mind. Surrounding myself with the messaging of This Girl Can, and getting involved with activities that align with this messaging, made me feel safe to try lots of different activities.”
In 2020-21, Justine tried online group training with a diverse personal trainer and couch to 5km using the NHS CHOICES UK podcast. When restrictions allowed, she also tried hiking with Escaping Your Comfort Zone, which she’s now a leader for, and GO Soccer Mums.
“I’ve documented my experiences on Instagram and I love being encouraged by This Girl Can and others, and also seeing others doing the same as me, just giving it their best. I love making social connections and supporting and uplifting others in their fitness goals too,” Justine said.
“I’m no longer sitting on the sidelines and am no longer isolated. I have community and that feels big.”
Women of all ages and abilities can get involved in This Girl Can – Victoria by checking out the beginner-friendly workouts at This Girl Can Get Active @ Home, joining the community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or following the #ThisGirlCanVIC.
For more tips and inspo, visit thisgirlcan.com.au
To provide greater support for women to return to exercise or try something for the first time, VicHealth is launching This Girl Can Week (22-28 March 2021), with a range of accessible and fun activities – both in person around Victoria and online.
According to a new VicHealth survey of over 1500 Victorian women, a major challenge faced when exercising during 2020 was juggling home schooling and being able to prioritise exercise.
That said, of the 59% of women who exercised at home during the pandemic, around 57% used online exercise programs to stay active, with respondents saying they felt less judged at home and it gave them a sense of structure and improved mental wellbeing.
This Girl Can Week will see a range of free online and in person activities across the state, based on the learnings and insights provided by this latest research. One example, is a new statewide This Girl Can hub, at Melbourne’s Fed Square where in-person and livestreamed and pre-recorded classes will be held throughout the week.
VicHealth’s Head of This Girl Can – Victoria Melanie Fineberg said This Girl Can Week is the perfect opportunity for women who’ve taken a break from exercise during Coronavirus to get back into it.
“Research has shown us that women’s physical activity has been more severely impacted than men’s due to Coronavirus, with more women exercising less, being inactive and stopping their involvement in sport altogether,” Ms Fineberg said.
“Women have told us that the increased juggle of home schooling during coronavirus had an impact on their ability and motivation to prioritise exercise, so we’re here to help.
“We want women to know it’s common to take a break from a sport or other type of activity, and it is completely understandable during a pandemic. There’s no judgement if you haven’t exercised in a while, all that matters is that you give it another go.
“This Girl Can Week is the perfect time to get back into physical activity, with a range of free, fun, non-judgemental activities offered across the state, both in person and streaming online. This Girl Can also has a huge range of free online home workout sessions which can be watched anytime at thisgirlcan.com.au.”
This Girl Can Week is part of the larger This Girl Can – Victoria campaign, which first launched in 2018 and has so far inspired hundreds of thousands of women to get active, right across the state.
Featuring everyday women from right across Victoria, the campaign features women getting active their own way. There are no models or actors, no Instagram influencers or elite athletes – just everyday women getting active however, wherever and whenever they choose.
Victorian women are encouraged to join the This Girl Can movement by heading to thisgirlcan.com.au and joining the community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and follow the #ThisGirlCanVic.
In order to provide women with more inclusive opportunities to get active This Girl Can Week will be held across Victoria from 22-28 March 2021. Federation Square will host free activities on site and will also stream online classes. Women can find activities and events in their local area via thisgirlcan.com.au. Sports clubs, councils, gyms or community groups interested in hosting a This Girl Can Week activity are encouraged to register as a campaign supporter at thisgirlcan.com.au.
–Ends-
Media note: Local interviews and images available on request.
Key stats:
A new VicHealth survey of over 1500 women found:
VicHealth’s Coronavirus Victorian Wellbeing Impact Study of over 2000 Victorians found:
Campaign research:
About this Girl Can:
This Girl Can – Victoria is a six-year VicHealth campaign aiming to increase physical activity among Victorian women. It focuses on less active women and supports gender equality by challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes in sport and by celebrating women.
This Girl Can – Victoria is the local implementation of the original ‘This Girl Can’ campaign in England, which is owned and operated by the English Sports Council (Sport England). Sport England used National Lottery funding to create the This Girl Can campaign in 2015.
VicHealth is the first organisation in the world to license the campaign from Sport England. VicHealth is promoting This Girl Can – Victoria in partnership with a range of organisations and community groups across the state including high profile sporting codes, sporting clubs and charities.
Watch the 2021 This Girl Can – Victoria campaign.
This Girl Can Week is back!
With gyms, physical activity providers and studios offering beginner-friendly activities and virtual classes across Victoria, this is the perfect time to try something new or get back into an activity you love!
Host a free introductory session at your club, centre or studio or online during This Girl Can Week (22 to 28 March 2021) to encourage women in your community to give your activity a go!
*All physical activity providers should check the Victorian Government’s Coronavirus website for the most up to date COVIDSafe guidelines for your sport or recreational activity and in your local area. Please ensure you have an updated COVIDSafe Plan. https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/sport-exercise-and-physical-recreation-services-sector-guidance
