Empowering Girls Through Movement: Worcestershire Martial Arts at the This Girl Can Festival

Today, Worcestershire Martial Arts was proud to be part of the This Girl Can Festival, delivered locally through Worc Girls Can, hosted at Dyson Perrins Academy in Malvern.

Five local schools attended, and our team had the privilege of introducing girls to Taekwon-Do and practical self-defence. The sessions were led by our founder, Sally Gleaves, part of the Worcestershire Martial Arts coaching team — creating a safe, energetic, and empowering space for girls to move, learn, and grow.

Why This Matters

This is exactly why we do what we do.

Taekwon-Do offers girls far more than kicks and punches. It builds:

• Confidence and assertiveness

• Physical strength and coordination

• Focus, resilience, and self-belief

• The ability to set boundaries and trust their instincts

In a supportive environment, girls learn how to take up space, use their voice, and move with purpose. These skills extend well beyond the mat — into school, friendships, and everyday life.

A Day of Energy, Confidence, and Connection

The Worc Girls Can festival welcomed 72 girls, supported by three brilliant Girls Champions from Hanley Castle High School. The day was packed with inclusive, confidence-building activities, including:

• Pom Pom Dancing with Dance In Motion Academy

• Functional Fitness with Danielle Leppier

• Martial Arts with Worcestershire Martial Arts

• Bhangra Dancing with Sohan Kailey

• Girls Talk led by Jess Chaderton from Freedom Leisure, alongside the Girls Champions

It was an inspiring day full of movement, laughter, and connection — showing what happens when girls are given the opportunity to try sport in a positive, pressure-free way.

What Is This Girl Can?

This Girl Can is a nationwide initiative by Sport England, designed to encourage women and girls to be active in ways that suit them — without fear of judgement.

Worc Girls Can is the local Herefordshire and Worcestershire spin-off, bringing that message directly into schools and communities. By creating fun, welcoming events like this festival, they help remove barriers to participation and show girls that sport really is for them.

We are proud to support and stand alongside these initiatives.

Want to Try Taekwon-Do?

If your daughter would like to try martial arts in a positive, empowering setting — or if you’re an adult woman curious about starting yourself — we would love to welcome you.

Your first month is just £20, and when you join, your uniform is FREE.

All trials are booked here:

👉 Book your trial now: www.worcestershiremartialarts.co.uk/trials

📍 Unit 3, Checketts Lane Trading Estate, Worcester, WR3 7JW

Worcester • Droitwich • Malvern

We are proud to stand for women and girls in Taekwon-Do — from first steps on the mat to confident young women who trust their strength, their voice, and their body.

#WorcestershireMartialArts #ThisGirlCan #WomenInMartialArts