Background to HerMoJo - The story so far . . .
"HerMoJo - Empowerment, Inner strength & outer confidence, combined with the resilience to overcome fear of judgement in sport . . . and the ability to grow that confidence into everyday life to become a stronger more empowered women."
HerMoJo began with a conference on the theme - #LIKEaGIRL which we ran two years ago LIKEaGIRL . Since then we have been addressing the wide range of issues which teenage girls face as they engage in competitive sport. Starting with ‘why does a girl throw like a girl’ – see how Daley Thompson (GB Olympian) gets into hot water - DALEY THOMPSON (is he right or wrong?) – so encouraging posture, strong stable movement (getting it right - not just hitting, throwing harder) and enhanced physical literacy.
The HerMoJo programme targets teenage girls to help them overcome some of the issues they face with competitive sport by encouraging engagement, building retention and helping girls gain confidence through sport and take that confidence into everyday life. Making them stronger, fitter and more empowered young women.
"We want to maximise the MoJoMessage - not commercialise it - " Paul Reynolds, Co-founder of The Women's Sports Network/HerMoJo programme.
MoJoManuals are predicated on 'Physical Literacy' but also cover a range of other emotive issues such as: body image, diet, breast health, fit or thin, social media, training with menstruation, coach attitude etc. – which impact how girls engage/drop out of sport – and potentially go on to be elite athletes and confident, mature young women outside of sport. We produced our first ROWMoJo beginning of 2018 year and have just launched FOOTBALLMoJo and LACROSSEMoJo – the story continues as we start to develop other sports (Netball, Badminton, Sailing, Cricket, Hockey) and editions such as ‘MaMaMoJo’ & MenoMoJo etc.
International – we’re currently translating MoJoManuals translated (into Arabic, Farcie, Hausa, Swahili etc.) and digitised. We launch ROWMoJo & FOOTBALLMoJo in Brazilian Portuguese on 8th March (International Women’s Day) with the relevant Brazilian Federations. And have now engaged with Netball Australia to produce NETBALLMoJo in time for this year’s world cup in the UK. We’re keen to work with NGBs and international sports federations to help get the ‘Empowerment through Sport’ message across – particularly in ‘third world’ countries. This way digital editions can be virtually free (e.g. 50 Rupees) and more importantly they can be delivered directly to smart devices - circumventing local, (often misogynistic) prejudices – we believe that gives WSNet a unique momentum that can really change the lives of girls in both western and 'third world' countries.
The World Rowing Federation (FISA) have acquired the digital rights to ROWMoJo in English for FREE download as a PDF from their website – giving readers an example of one MoJoManual
Download from the bottom of this web page - http://www.worldrowing.com/news/world-rowing-and-wsnet-unite-empower-teenage-girls-through-rowing
Background to Women’s Sports Network
Is a self-funded, cooperative network of groups and individuals working independently as associates and part-time volunteers. It is a not-for-profit community approaching one hundred thousand worldwide. Crystallising the issues & coordinating opportunities around WomenSport & Fitness by working in partnership with commercial/NGBs/educational/Charity organisations to raise the profile of WomenSport & SportsWomen. Advocating better access to Sport/FITNess, alleviating gender-bias and empowering women & girls through sport & fitness in their everyday lives.
WSNet is not a commercial organisation – and relies on donations from a very small group of patrons who wanted to help their daughters enjoy sport etc. - and now have momentum that can really change the lives of girls in both western and 'third world' countries.