MORE girls in the Vale have had the chance to try out different sports thanks to a taster session run by the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Sports and Play Development team.

The session allowed girls to gauge which activity they would like to return to in the future by introducing them to badminton, street dance, football and touch rugby.

The response and consequent feedback will now inform the Sports and Play team’s planning of future events in order to maintain girls’ engagement.

The event, which was held in Llantwit Major, formed part of the council's Girls on the Move initiative, which makes up part of the Active Young People scheme, and is all about getting more young people active, more often, by encouraging them to exercise more frequently throughout the week.

The scheme has engaged more than 160 girls since starting last year, with Glowminton in Barry and a running group in Penarth encouraging more girls to participate in badminton and running respectively.

Glowminton, in particular, highlights the fun and interactive theme running throughout all Girls on the Move activities - having heard that young residents wished for informal social activities involving music, glowminton, held at Holm View Leisure Centre in Barry, uses UV shuttlecocks and nets, as well as neon wristbands and body-paint whilst playing badminton to music.

Councillor Gwyn John, cabinet member for visible, leisure and regulatory services, said: “The Girls on the Move scheme was set up with the aim of encouraging more girls to become more active, more often.

“We have seen some encouraging results so far, with an increase in participation due, in-part, to the informed planning of our Sports and Play team.

“By listening to what our young residents want, we have been able to plan fun, inclusive, events that continue to engage girls across the Vale of Glamorgan.”

Next up, the Sport and Play team, in partnership with Welsh Cycling and Breeze Rides, are set to host a Girls and Women cycling group on Saturday, April 8.

Taking place at Cosmeston Park, between 10am and noon, the group is aimed at beginners aged 10 and over. Informal coaching will take place before the ride around Cosmeston, so that participants become more confident on their bikes.

Participants are required to take their own bikes and helmets.

For more information on the cycling group, and to book a place, call Rachel Shepherd on 01446 704808, or email rlshepherd@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

The Sports and Play Development team can also be found on Twitter @valesportsnews, and Facebook valesportsplay