The founder of a teen running club has described how she is trying to increase opportunities for girls to stay active while raising awareness of sport’s mental health benefits – after it emerged that only 5% of Jersey girls are meeting recommended exercise guidelines by the time they turn 16.
Ceri Tinley launched See Her Run in September to create a safe, supportive, and non-competitive space for teenage girls to run.
The free-to-attend club is designed for those moving on from Jersey Sport’s Couch to 5K programme, or for any girl who wants to run for at least 30 minutes, at any pace.
The initiative emerged from conversations about rising mental health challenges among teenage girls and follows in the footsteps of Run for Kezia – a fundraising event in memory of 14-year-old Kezia Mason who took her own life in 2022 – which took place for the final time in September.
Ceri said: “I was approached by someone who works with teenage girls who was worried about the increasing mental health challenges she was seeing.
“She felt that they would benefit from having somewhere they could go to do some exercise, outside with their peers in a safe non-competitive environment.”
Ceri was able to form the volunteer-led group following a successful application for nearly £5,000 from the Supporting Sport Fund.
Just 5% of Year 12 girls in Jersey meet exercise guidelines
The initiative comes as recent data revealed only 52% of adult women and just 5% of Year 12 girls in Jersey meet the recommended daily exercise guidelines.
Despite 69% of women expressing a desire to be more active, many face barriers that prevent them from staying engaged in sport.
While 24% of Year 4 girls (aged between eight and nine) meet the recommended one hour of daily activity, this drops to just 5% by Year 12 (aged 16 to 17).
What are the main barriers to participation?
As part of a series examining the challenges faced by women in sport, Express has learned that many girls drop out of sport as they get older due to a lack of confidence, resources and female role models.
This is something that Ceri has noticed.
“There many reasons why girls drop out of sport as they get older,” she said.
“A big one is confidence – many girls start to feel self-conscious and worry about being judged.
“Social pressures also change, friendships and priorities shift, and sport can feel less important compared to socialising, schoolwork or part-time jobs.
“There’s also a lack of female role models in sport compared to male athletes, and many girls don’t see it as something ‘for them’.
“I think it is more socially acceptable for boys to do sport for fun, such as a kick about in the park or cricket on the beach.”
Ceri added: “Body image is a massive issue.
“Social media constantly bombards girls with unrealistic beauty standards, making them feel like they have to look a certain way to be ‘good enough.’
“Running and sport should be about feeling strong, confident, and happy in your body, but a lot of girls feel pressure to look ‘perfect’ instead.”
Access is another barrier, with Ceri explaining how financial constraints, a lack of opportunities, and even having the right kit can prevent girls from participating.
“Schools’ mandatory PE lessons often drop away from Year 10 onwards, and if they don’t find something they love early on, they may assume sport just isn’t for them,” she explained.
Safety concerns are another key issue, with many girls feeling uncomfortable running alone – particularly in the evening.
Ceri said: “Many girls don’t feel comfortable running alone or in public spaces, especially in the evening.
“That fear can be a real barrier to getting active.”
How is ‘See Her Run’ trying to address these barriers?
See Her Run aims to remove these barriers by making membership free and offering an inclusion fund to support girls who may struggle with the costs of running gear.
The club also provides training for women aged 18 to 25 who want to become volunteer-run leaders.
Ceri explained: “By creating a safe, supportive environment where girls can run together, we take away that fear and build confidence instead.”
The club has also partnered with Jersey Krav Maga to offer self-defence and confidence training sessions.
Unlike traditional running clubs, Ceri explained that See Her Run focuses on participation rather than performance.
“One of the biggest myths is that you have to be fast or ‘good’ at running to take part,” said Ceri.
“That’s simply not true—running is for everyone.
“It’s not about being the best; it’s about moving your body in a way that makes you feel good.”
Sessions are structured so that every girl can run at her own pace without the pressure of competition.
“We celebrate effort, not speed,” Ceri added.
“Our run leaders ensure that no one is ever left behind.”
She continued: “Running with a group creates an instant support system.
“Girls feel safer because they’re not alone, and they gain confidence from the encouragement of others.
“When you’re surrounded by people who believe in you, it’s much easier to believe in yourself.
“It also helps to normalise running as something fun and enjoyable, rather than something intimidating.
“Many girls start thinking, ‘I could never do this’, but once they’ve completed their first group run, they realise they can.”
How can running clubs promote well-being among girls?
At a time when the waiting lists for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service are growing, Ceri stressed the importance of fresh air and exercise for mental health.
“Running is a powerful tool for reducing stress and anxiety, boosting self-esteem, and improving mood,” she said.
“For many girls, See Her Run is about more than just exercise – it’s a safe space where they can be themselves, away from the pressures of school, social media, and everyday life.
“It gives them a break from all that noise and a chance to focus on something positive.”
Ceri also called for schools to integrate more movement into daily routines beyond traditional PE lessons.
She explained: “We know that mental health issues in young people are on the rise, and yet exercise – one of the most effective, natural ways to improve mood and resilience – is often overlooked.
“It is really important for schools to integrate movement into the day, not just in PE lessons but as a tool for managing stress and improving focus.”
Ceri added: “We need to move away from the idea that sport is only for the naturally athletic.
“Exercise should be accessible to all and should be seen as a way to feel good, not just to compete.”
What’s next for ‘See Her Run’?
The club is working with Jersey Sport to increase awareness among Year 10-13 girls across the island.
Later this year, they will collaborate on the Try a Sport programme to encourage more girls to get involved.
There are also plans to launch a Couch to 5K programme for those who aren’t yet confident enough to join the main group.
See Her Run meets every Tuesday and Thursday during term time. Bag drop is at 16:15, with runs from 16:30 to 17:00.
Girls can join for free at www.seeherrun.org and attend any session without prior registration.
For those feeling nervous about taking the first step, Ceri said: “You are not alone in feeling that way.
“Nearly every girl who joins See Her Run starts out feeling nervous. But within minutes, they realise that this isn’t about competition – it’s about community.
“You don’t have to be fast, you don’t have to be experienced, and you don’t have to worry about being judged.
“The hardest part is showing up. Once you do that, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.”
She added: “To every girl out there who thinks running isn’t for them – I promise you, it is.
“Running isn’t about being the best; it’s about discovering what your body can do, finding confidence in yourself, and having fun along the way.
“At See Her Run, we believe every girl deserves to feel strong, capable, and proud of herself. And we’ll be here to encourage you on every step of the way.”
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