Bethany to host National Girls & Women in Sports Day
BETHANY, W.Va. (March 29) — Bethany College will hold its inaugural National Girls & Women in Sports Day on Saturday, April 7 at 9 a.m.
Girls & Women in Sports Day is for middle school girls in grades 5-8. Sign up today or register the day of the event with parent or guardian signature on waiver. Registration begins at 9 a.m., sessions start at 9:30 a.m.
Participants will spend the afternoon with the women's athletes of Bethany College and learn some new sports skills at this free clinic. Everyone will participate in six sessions: basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and lacrosse. Participants will also have the chance to meet athletes from the swimming, cross country/track, and equestrian teams as well.
"Our goal is to engage more girls in the opportunities to play sports," Bethany Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Liz Blake said. "Growing up, sports were an integral part of my life, a consistent safe space to be challenged and supported simultaneously, and now we want to share what we love with young girls throughout Brooke County and the surrounding cities and towns. This event is designed to expose girls to a variety of different sports, any one or two of might be the perfect fit for any given girl. The other goal is to then provide resources for parents to get their daughters involved with local and recreational clubs where their daughters can continue to learn about and fall in love with sports."
The day is devoted to recognizing the progress of girls and women in sports, and the benefits that sports and fitness activities can bring to the lives of all girls and women. The day is organized nationally by the National Girls & Women in Sports Day Coalition.
"I like sports because they're something bigger than yourself and it gets you involved with a team mentality," said Lizzie West, who is a sophomore volleyball player and Biology major from Massillon, Ohio. "For me specifically, it gave me leadership qualities and the ability to take criticism, which is valuable for life in general."
Since Title IX's creation in 1972, girls' sports participation has greatly increased. According to the Women in Sports Foundation article, Title IX and the Rise of Female Athletes in America, "Before Title IX, one in 27 girls played sports. Today that number is two in five. While we still have far to go before every girl has equal access to sports, especially girls of color, it is clear that we are making headway."
For more information, call Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Liz Blake 443.615.5287 or Head Tennis Coach Brad Jones 276.494.4948 or visit www.NGWSD.org.
