Moor Allerton Hall Primary School

The girls at Moor Allerton Hall that have been through the programme have all embraced it whole heartedly. They have developed their own ‘mermaid’ teams, actively volunteered to take part in a school cross country event and there was talk of trying to start a girls’ football team. The girls’ in yr 5 and 6 also have the opportunity to become student mentors for Mini Mermaids and help with the younger girls in training.

‘I love this club, I am so proud that I did the (5km) run’ – Asma yr 5

‘I didn’t think I could do it, I’m definitely going to come and do it (parkrun) again – Leah yr 5

‘I’m going to carry on and do athletics in high school ‘ – Kaliyah yr 6

MAHPS Mini Mermaids club have recently taken part in a 5K run at Roundhay Park. This event, and the Mermaids, was covered by Sky Sports. They  followed the children around the course as well as interviewing each of children about their involvement in the club. 

MMRC UK is a unique running club for girls age 5 -14 years. The goal aim of the club is to help build self-esteem, teach healthy eating and living skills while giving girls a chance to fall in love with running, moving their bodies and experiencing the satisfaction of crossing a finish line.

During the 6 week programme the girls are taught the value of exercise and moving their bodies regardless of their size, shape or ability. The workouts are not focused on being first or running fast, but rather on each girl to find their own pace so that they can run their own race.

Moor Allerton Hall Primary School is our flagship school and it is where our journey started. We run the programme twice a week after school for an hour. The sessions are broken down into three sections:

1) An overview of what will be discussed that week, a discussion on the subject with some work in their journals.

2) Movement (approx ½ hr – 45 mins) where there are various movement games, running/moving around laps of the field/playground and getting the girls comfortable with getting hot and sweaty.

3) Journals where they have things to fill in and draw and final discussion about the session.

At the end of the 6 weeks the girls take part in a 5K run where the aim is to complete the course, whether it’s running, skipping or hopping! All the girls receive a medal and certificate when they have completed the challenge. Most importantly however, the girls begin to realise that *the finish line is just the beginning.

We have 5 curriculums which means that we grow with the girls and go back into the school year on year to deliver different programs and help them continue on their path of self confidence and self worth.