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Daughters & Dads

Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered is a multi-award winning, evidence-based program that brings together fathers/father figures and their primary school-aged daughters to promote physical activity, enhance sports skill, boost wellbeing, strengthen the father-daughter bond and advance gender equality.

 

The program aims to break the barriers to female participation in sport and increase representation of women and girls in football through a range of physical and social activities.

Target market:

  • Girls aged 5 – 12 years
  • New to football or current players
  • Young girls and their father/father figures wanting a physical activity to participate in together.

Program details:

  • 60 min weekly sessions
  • 15 mins on empowerment activities, 15 mins of rough and tumble play, 15 mins football skills and 15 mins of modified games
  • 8-week programs run during school terms
  • Online Dads only video – to be watched ahead of the first session

Why get involved?

  • Be introduced to the uniting game of football in a social and judgement-free environment
  • Learn how to be your daughter’s ‘personal coach’ on and off the field
  • Have fun whilst boosting yours and your daughter’s physical, social, emotional and mental health
  • Learn key skills to help your daughter’s growth and development and how to overcome gender barriers
  • All fitness levels and abilities are welcome
  • Opportunity to connect with local football clubs to continue playing football

About the program

Strengthen the bond you share with your daughter through physical and social activities! The program is for fathers and father figures (stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, older brothers, or trusted family friends) and their daughters aged 5 years to 12 years.
Daughter registrationDad/Father figure registration

Fathers have an important influence on children’s health and wellbeing, however they are significantly under-represented in health promotion programs targeting parents.  A recent review of all parenting programs delivered internationally showed that only 6% of participants were fathers.

The Daughters and Dads program is indeed the first program to ever target the Daughter and Dad dyad.  There have been more than 20 Mother and Daughter programs.  Emerging research has also shown that children may independently and uniquely benefit from positive male involvement.

Parent-child programs have predominantly targeted and engaged mothers.  When programs are open to both parents, very few dads will sign up.  Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered is designed to specifically engage fathers or father figures only so that they are more likely to be involved.

Mums/partners are also encouraged to engage with the program home tasks, have discussion with their partner and daughter and are welcome to complete home activities with any of their other children.

Absolutely, we welcome her attendance with a significant male figure in her life.  This might be a step-father, grandfather, uncle, older brother or trusted family friend.

This program is designed to educate and motivate male role models as the agent for changing a girl’s physical activity levels, sport skills and social-emotional wellbeing.  Unfortunately, we are unable to accept daughters attending the program with their mothers.

We suggest dads attend with just one daughter at a time.  The program is designed for 1 on 1 interaction between dads and daughters to ensure they get the most benefit out of the program.  This allows the duo to effectively engage in the education and practical activities that have been timed and tested for 1:1.

 

Option 1:  Dad could participate in more than one session during the term, having a different daughter attend with him each night.

Option 2:  Another father figure(eg grandfather/uncle) could participate with one of the daughters in the same session as Dad and the other daughter.

Option 3:  The program will run again in the future so you could decide to attend with one daughter initially and then sign up the following year with the other daughter.

The program has been designed for only the dad and registered daughter to attend.  However all family members are encouraged to read through the program resources to gain an understanding of what is being learnt each week and how to best support dads and daughters to complete their home tasks.

Yes, there is no limit to how many programs you attend.