Local sporting heroes back Stirling campaign to get more women and girls active

Some of Stirling’s sporting heroes, including an Olympic champion and a World Championships silver medallist, are supporting a drive to get more local women and girls active.

Article Source: Stirling Council
Last Updated: 6 October 2025 14:35

The athletes are joining Stirling Council, Active Stirling, the University of Stirling and other partner organisations in encouraging more females of all ages and abilities in the area to get involved in sport and physical activity as part of Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week (6-12 October).

The campaign will highlight the wide range of ways for girls and women to get active in Stirling all year round regardless of their fitness levels, from walking groups to swimming and other sports.

It will also showcase the clubs and facilities available throughout the Stirling Council area, the support available to get started and the major benefits of participating in sport and physical activity.

Members of the British Curling programme at the Stirling-based National Curling Academy (located next to the PEAK leisure centre), and the University of Stirling’s high performance swimming programme are backing the campaign.

Jen Dodds, Olympic Curling Champion said: “Scottish Women and Girls in Sport week always reminds me just how powerful sport can be, how it brings people together and creates a real sense of community.

“Winning gold at the Beijing Winter Olympics had a big impact, especially sparking interest in curling and that’s something I’m really proud of.

“I train and coach everyday at the National Curling Academy and I believe everything I do I am leading by example and helping others to unlock their own potential through sport”.

Charlotte McKenna, World Curling Mixed Doubles silver medallist said: “Celebrating this week shines a light on how far we have come in closing the gender gap and boosting inclusion, but also how we have to continue to push forward to get more women and girls involved in sport.

“I have been in a wheelchair for most of my life and I hope winning silver at the World Mixed Doubles Wheelchair Curling Championships in Scotland earlier this year shows others that the biggest obstacles can be overcome and demonstrates how challenges can help you excel when you set your mind to it.

“Sport has given me so much on and off the ice and I love being part of a brilliant curling squad in Stirling within a welcoming and inclusive environment which celebrates and supports teamwork and achievement”.

Paige van der Westhuizen, a member of the University of Stirling’s high performance swimming programme and who has represented Zimbabwe at the Olympics and recently at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, said: “I think celebrating this week is such an effective tool to inspire young women to chase their dreams and show them anything is possible.

“I feel empowered by the number of women I see around me at Stirling. Stirling swimming has created an amazing environment for powerful women to thrive and showcase their talent.

“Going to the Olympics was an incredible experience for me, it showed me first-hand the importance of visibility and representation in sport.

“When young girls see women competing on the world stage, breaking barriers, and achieving their goals, it gives them role models to look up to and the belief that they too can succeed. Women in Sport Week highlights these stories, celebrates progress, and reminds us all that women belong in every arena.”

Cllr Jen Preston, Stirling Council Depute Council Leader said: “We want the Stirling area to be a place where sports changes lives for the better. This campaign is a great opportunity to engage with women and girls across Stirling about the incredible benefits of sport and physical activity at every stage of life and raise awareness of everything on offer in our local area.

“It’s also about celebrating achievement so we are thrilled that we have several of Stirlingshire’s sporting role models getting behind the campaign to boost participation and help inspire the next female generation.”

Active Stirling delivers sport, physical activity, health and wellbeing on behalf of Stirling Council and is a key partner in delivering Stirling’s Sport, Physical Activity and Healthy Living Strategy for Stirling.

Dougie Porteous, Active Stirling's Head of Sport, Physical Activity and Inclusion, said: "Active Stirling is delighted to support women and girls in sport week. We will be delivering a Women and Girls in Sport event at Stirling County RFC on 8 October. The event aims to provide local S3 and S4 Girls an opportunity to try out new sports and physical activities in a fun, supportive, and safe environment.

“As well as experiencing tasters in sport and physical activity available locally, young women will be signposted to relevant partner services and local clubs. We are proud of the female athletes Stirling has produced but equally proud of the opportunities for girls and women to get active together in our schools, communities and clubs.

“We hope the week will show women and girls new and perhaps different opportunities for them to be active in Stirling".

For more information on how Stirling Council and Active Stirling are supporting Women and Girls in Sport Week and the events and activities available all year round, visit: www.stirling.gov.uk/womenandgirlsinsport

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