From the Sport Captain

The Ribbon of Strength Campaign

Statistics show us that a staggering 57% of young women stop participating in sport before the age of 24, due to a lack of belief in their ability to succeed.  The Ribbon of Strength campaign, promoted by Pantene, has some of Australia’s top female athletes such as Charlotte Caslick – Rugby 7s Olympic gold medallist, Ellie Cole - Paralympic gold medallist, and Zoe Clarke - professional surfer, working to encourage women to back themselves, and others around them, to put 100% effort into whatever they set their mind to, and to believe that they can achieve anything they want.  This campaign was created as an inspiration to women of the world, encouraging them to overcome their fears, find their inner strength, and actively participate in the sports they love.  By braiding your own personal symbol of strength into your hair, you can send a message to women everywhere that strength is all in your head and belief in yourself is your biggest asset.

“For all those times you’ve told yourself that you’re not strong enough, not fast enough, or not tough enough, think again.  When the voice in your head says you can’t, there are a million women saying you can.”  Whilst this may only be a Pantene ad, the underlying message speaks for itself.  Never underestimate YOUR strengths because, in the end, it is only you doubting yourself and making yourself feel less than enough.  Each and every one of the girls of Mount Alvernia is a powerful, strong minded, and determined young woman, and you should be telling yourselves YOU CAN.  When you feel the negative self-talk holding you back, remember to listen to the many voices saying YOU CAN.

This year at the CASSSA Athletics Carnival on Monday 19 August, all girls from the Mount Alvernia Athletics team will be wearing a ribbon of strength throughout the day to make them stronger.  These ribbons will have the quotes: “Your time is now, NO REGRETS!”, “Tough times NEVER last!”, and #WEAREUNBREAKABLE!”, inspired by this campaign advertisement.  The girls will wear these ribbons like amour, to show the world that strength really is all in your head.  This will remind them that YOU CAN do anything you put your mind to and it is only your own doubts that are stopping you from succeeding at your personal best.

Maddie Brown