National Girls & Women in Sports Day

February 4^th. A day to acknowledge that work continues to provide equal opportunity for girls and women in sports. It is also a day to recognize the accomplishments of girls and women in sports.

As a former competitive athlete and present recreational athlete, there is no doubt of the social, physical and psychological benefits of sports. As a mom of two girls, I have watched how their involvement in sport has offered them endless opportunities for growth. Leadership, teamwork and  work ethic are skills that flourish. Sportsmanship and learning to win, as well as lose, benefits us all outside the sports arena as well.

As a parent, watching my kids slowly leave sports they once loved made me  worry that they would become part of the statistic of teenage girls dropping out of sport. When they had experiences that challenged their love of the game, I worried that would be the impetus to quit. Despite the tough moments, there are those teammates that always have their backs. There are coaches that remind them of their capabilities. There are even other parents that point out their strengths when dad’s opinion doesn’t matter and mom is talking more about their dirty uniform lying on the bathroom floor.

Sports give an opportunity for growth but also to find your people. In my experience watching girls grow, they start off confident but society slowly picks away at their perceived abilities. Sports is a place where they can remind themselves of their abilities and their worth. Sports are also a place where physical skills are learned that will follow them in to adulthood. If my kids reach a pinnacle in sports for which they are reaching, I will be proud of them. I will be equally as proud if they are using those experiences and skills to stay active in to their adult years.

So, on this National Girls and Women in Sports Day –

Cheers to the girls that are brave enough to show up on the first day.

Cheers to the girls that see they are capable of more.

Cheers to the coaches that encourage them to keep showing up.

Cheers to the parents that get them there, let them be proud of their wins and support them in their losses.

Cheers to the teammates that go through it all with them.

Cheers to the women who keep showing that little girl that they are strong, they are capable and they are worth it.