Melville High School sport coordinator and teacher David Jacobs claims the trial has been a massive success.

“The decision to create all girls classes has led to an increase in participation and interest,” Jacobs said.

“The girls are entering an age where participation, involvement and interest in sport tends to drop off and we are attempting to prevent that from happening and to instead encourage the girls to become more active.

“The all girls classes creates an environment where more girls feel comfortable in getting involved.”

The all girls classes directly led to the involvement of a Melville High School girl’s basketball team competing at a carnival in Port Macquarie on Tuesday.

The Melville Under-15s team had three girls in the side who had never competed in organised sport either inside or outside of school.

The three girl have a newfound love of basketball and it has led to them commencing training on Thursday nights and they plan to be a part of the Kempsey Basketball Association’s trip to America at the end of 2019.

“It isn’t about being the best basketball player or sports athlete, it’s about maintaining or developing a girls engagement in sport and keeping them active and living a healthy lifestyle,” Jacobs said.

“As a result of the all girls classes, three new girls, who had never played any organised sport, now feel comfortable and interested in playing at a competitive level. They have a love for the game and enjoy playing.”

Jacobs trains the girls on Thursday from 3.30pm to 5pm and the coach extends an invitation to all high school girls in the Macleay to participate.

Jacobs and the Kempsey Basketball Association’s goal is to have a girls basketball competition on Thursday night in the near future.

Heritage Christian College were the standouts in Port Macquarie at the girls basketball gala day.

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