Girls find their strength with weightlifting squad

The programme hopes to empower girls, help them gain confidence in a gym space, and introduces them to female role models

Girls are being encouraged to take up weightlifting with summer holiday coaching sessions from women in the sport.

The Strong Girls Squad founder, Kristen Ingraham-Morgan, said weightlifting rooms at standard gyms can be intimidating and uncomfortable for women and girls.

The Lincoln-based group said it helped girls from 11-17 years old strength train with equipment and instructions in "a safe and encouraging environment".

Lohla, 11, said: "I've learned that if you give it a go, you might actually be able to do it and you might impress yourself more than you think."

This summer around 480 places were available for the holiday club due to increased popularity

Starting as a HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme in 2022 funded by Lincolnshire County Council, the group runs sessions during the summer, Christmas and Easter holidays.

The programme hopes to increase girls' confidence, social skills and engagement with physical activity.

Ms Ingraham-Morgan explained: " What we have found is that it grows their confidence in such a way, that they are then willingly able to go out and engage with sport outside of this club."

The holiday club also offers enrichment activities and the opportunity for the girls to meet as many interesting and inspiring women as possible.

Lohla, 11, said: "I thought it would be really hard to do and I thought I'd be rubbish at it"

Lohla added: "You could see if you can lift a bit more than you did previously, which is what I like to do."

Charlotte, 16, said: "I thought weightlifting was a very masculine sport, that mainly men did and I didn't really hear about many women doing it."

However she explained: "I've learned how to lift safely, and that it's a very inclusive sport, that a lot of women do it and a lot of women are recognised for it with the Olympics and stuff".

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