Everyone has heard of This Girl Can.
Launched by Sport England last year with a catchy video that soon went viral, the campaign aims to encourage women of all shapes, sizes, and fitness abilities to get involved in sport. And to show them that how you look whilst doing it really doesn’t matter! It’s about having fun, socialising, winning, getting some headspace – whatever your own personal goal.
I hate the phrase “real women” – all women are real – but the idea of the advert, posters and billboards brandishing the This Girl Can slogan has been to incorporate everyday women like you and I. To show that it’s not just models, super-fit athletes and those with toned abs – even if they all look amazing – who should be used as “faces” for encouraging more women’s participation in sport.
Personally I don’t find it off-putting to see a Jessica Ennis-Hill look-a-like advertising something, or gracing the cover of a magazine – her, and others, dedication to their sport, their fitness and their health is inspiring even if it feels slightly unobtainable to me!
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| Photo by Roberts Sports |
However, survey results accompanying Sport England’s campaign show that while 75% of women want to be more active, a fear of judgement – on appearance, ability or how they chose to spend time on themselves – puts women of all ages off exercising.
The This Girl Can campaign wants to empower women, to create a celebration of women getting moving, and provide information on how they can do that. I love that the website includes the stories of all the women featured in the adverts, as well as information on the activities they’re taking part in.
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| Photo by Roberts Sports |
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to take part in a photoshoot for the campaign and joined a group of lovely ladies on the South Bank near Tower Bridge for an office/run commute/urban jungle themed shoot.
We had a great time chatting, running and not taking ourselves too seriously – exactly what I would be doing on a run with friends. The photos even turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself.
Yes, my muffin top/belly is on display to the world, but I’m happy that it shows me, as I am, looking strong and having a good time whilst out running!
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| Photo by Roberts Sports |
I don’t know whether my face will get used but if you do spot me on a bus stop somewhere in London let me know!
You can use the This Girl Can app on your phone to create your own poster, complete with fun slogan.
Do you think the This Girl Can campaign is a great idea to motivate more women to get into sport? If you’ve been involved in some way let me know – I know there were a lot of running photoshoots across London so I’d love to hear if you got snapped 🙂
Beki x
Miss Wheezy 
Know this isn't the point, but you look great Beki! Love the capris. Furthermore, you look determined and you look strong!
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I love your pictures Beki and I do hope they use you as I can see these pictures as being inspiring to a lot of women 🙂 Plus your outfit is fabbbbulous! In answer to your question : I do find 'This Girl Can' motivating, I love the adverts!
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Rocking photos! You look awesome. I'm totally with you about seeing athletes look like athletes and being all inspiring. But at the same time it's great to see 'normal' people out there too. Going to any race you can see such a range of people and I think it's important for those nervous to start the sport to realise that no one is perfect!
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Great inspiration Beki!
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Hi Beki,You look really great! I've never enjoyed being photographed but you look like you're having an amazing time, and all for a great project too. Seriously inspiring!Besma (Curiously Conscious)
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You look fab! I like seeing athletes, but I don't like seeing fitness models. I want to see more real runners, especially sweaty red faced ones! A lot of my friends comment on not wanting to run because it makes bits of their body jiggle , which is a shame. I do sometimes get self conscious but mostly I just love running so try not to care about what I look like. Runners come in all shapes and sizes and I don't think magazines are promoting obesity by having an overweight model ( eg the us women's running mag) but on the flip side are helping people realise that if they like, they can run too. It's so inclusive and accessible, so the more people pictured running the better .
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