Spar ambassador and Irish boxing gold-medallist Kellie Harrington has teamed up with the retailer for its ‘Stay in the Game’ campaign, as part of its 2024 Community Fund.
According to the 2022 Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study, one in five (20%) of young female teens quits sport at post-primary school level.
The study also showed that just 11% of teenage girls meet physical-activity guidelines.
The ambition of Spar’s ‘Stay in the Game’ campaign is to encourage young women to develop a lifetime engagement with sport and experience the benefits that continued involvement brings.
‘Stay in the Game,’ which will run until 30 June, encourages the public to nominate a post-primary school or club in their community fostering the continued participation of girls in sport.
Nominated clubs and schools will be in with a chance to win one of five €2,000 prizes.
They will also win the opportunity to meet and engage with Harrington in an interactive Spar ‘Stay in the Game’ workshop.
The campaign is part of Spar’s Community Fund programme, which has been running since 2021.
Spar has provided nearly €100,000 worth of funding for schools and clubs to date.
‘A Positive Impact’
The sales director of Spar, Colin Donnelly, said, “The statistics for the dropout rates of girls from participation in sports in their teenage years are stark.
“This year, as we launch the Spar ‘Stay in the Game’ campaign, we hope to encourage young girls to stay involved in sports and to showcase the important role sports can play in their development into adulthood.
“Kellie Harrington is the perfect partner for us in this campaign, as she is an amazing role model for girls.
“Kellie is so open about her own journey and all the positive outcomes that have resulted from her participation in sport.
“This is the fourth year of the Spar Community Fund, and we’re delighted to continue to support local communities.”
Harrington added, “I am proud to be a brand ambassador for Spar in this ‘Stay in the Game’ campaign.
“This is an initiative that is very close to my heart, as it encourages young girls to stay with sports throughout their teens and into their adult life.
“Sport can have such a positive impact on their lives, and I have experienced this positive impact first-hand.
“I have had the privilege of representing Ireland at the highest level in boxing, and this would not have been possible without the support of community-funded sports clubs and boxing gyms.”
To nominate a post-primary school or club, please visit www.spar.ie/communityfund.
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