The Play Like a Girl Program (PLAG) is a leadership program that embraces and promotes girls being playful, expressive and vibrant. The 5-week program offers ongoing support, empowering participants to see playing like a girl as a strength, not a derogatory sledge.
Developed by Victoria's own athlete Holly Bailey, Play Like a Girl is the first program in Australia to guide the personal and professional journey of young females through a sports lens teaching girls how to prepare well off-field so they can play to their full potential when it counts.
We have funded a number of places in this amazing program. We spoke to recent April PLAG graduate Ava, to find out about her experience with PLAG.
Who you are - age, sport and why applied for the program?
Hi I'm Ava I live in Warrandyte and I am crazy about netball
I applied for the Play Like a Girl Leadership Challenge because I am passionate about sport. From a young age I always had a ball or a racket in my hand whether that was participating in Hoop Time, Auskick, or playing indoor soccer with my mates. My dream is to become an accomplished netballer and I will do anything to achieve my dream. I did some research about the program, and it sounded amazing. Their website showed me how passionate women are about sport and about all the incredible opportunities it offered. I thought that this program was a perfect fit for me and would teach me all the skills and knowledge I need to pursue my dream.
What have you learnt or gotten out of the program?
I have gained so much out of this program PLAG has equipped me with so many skills such as:
- How to channel my inner self critic.
- Creating positive mindsets
- How I can go about achieving my goals and visions.
- Setting visions and goals for the future
- Understanding leadership levels
- Taught me how to back myself and how I can go about empowering other young girls.
It taught me I can do anything!
Why is the PLAG program important to you?
This program is so important me because I have seen firsthand how much it can teach and empower women in sport. It has provided me with so much inspiration to keep aiming and striving high in my sporting life.
Would you recommend the program to other women and girls in sport?
Absolutely! I have been telling so many of my friends about it. It is the most beneficial program I have ever participated in. All of women there are incredible and I have learnt so many important life lessons that will help me excel in my sporting life and in my school life.
