"Look Who’s Playing!"

Planning and Implementing Sport and Physical Activity Clinics to Celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day

written by Heather Van Mullem, PhD, Lewis-Clark State College

Introduction
In 1972, Title IX, the landmark legislation that mandated gender equity in federally funded programs was passed. Its impact on participation opportunities for girls and women in sport has been significant. In 1972, only one in 27 girls played sports. Today, that number has risen dramatically to approximately 1 in 3 (Acosta & Carpenter, 2012).

The benefits of engagement in sport to girls and women are well noted (Women's Sports Foundation, 2004). Research indicates girls who play sports and engage in physical activity are believed to have a reduced risk for breast cancer, are less likely to smoke or use illicit drugs, are less likely to engage in sexual activity, and are believed to have lower rates of depression and suicidal ideations (Women's Sports Foundation, 2004).

Even with the noted benefits of engagement in sport and physical activity, issues such as minimized opportunities to participate in purposeful physical activity, and ready access to unhealthy food, have contributed to rising rates of obesity in society. Obesity is an epidemic of mammoth proportions (Centers for Disease Control, 2013). As is evidenced by research, purposeful engagement in physical activity and/or sport for girls and women is important to their continued psychological, social, and mental health (Women’s Sports Foundation, 2004). One strategy to encourage and support engagement in physical activity and sport for girls is to host a National Girls and Women in Sports Day (this year was February 6, 2013) event at your school.

Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day

For over 25 years, National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) has been celebrated (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 2013a). Across the nation, events are held "…to acknowledge the past and recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports" (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 2013b).

Many different types of events can be held to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Some schools or community centers might choose to show a video, or bring in a speaker to address issues in women's athletics (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 2013b). Another possibility is the physical activity and sport clinic model. The four primary objectives of the sport and physical activity model are:

1. To provide a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for young girls to engage in sport and physical activity,
2. To provide a safe and productive learning environment for young girls to learn new skills in a variety of sports and/or physical activities,
3. To provide a learning environment for young girls supported through positive female role modeling, and
4. To provide a service learning opportunity for college students.

In order to meet the above objectives, the event can be designed in the following way: Three 45 minute sport and physical activity clinics can be held during one half of a day. Participants can choose from a variety of activities. Sessions are led by female volunteers (students, student-athletes, and local teachers and coaches) to encourage positive female role modeling. Movement based activities should be chosen over other non-movement based possibilities (i.e. award ceremonies, speakers, movies, etc.) because opportunities for fun and purposeful physical activity are essential to a well lifestyle (Greenberg, 2011).

Suggestions for Running a Successful Event

Multiple strategies can be employed to help you run a successful sport and physically active National Girls and Women in Sports Day event.

1. Take time to meet with your local Physical Education teachers. Inquire about popular activities in their classes. Ask if you can borrow any needed equipment.
2. Seek and receive approval from local school districts to disseminate flyers directly to the students in the schools. Be prepared that you may need to include a school district generated waiver directly on your flyers.
3. Offer as many sport and physical activity options for participants as possible, within reason, considering your facility space and quality and knowledge base of your volunteers.
4. Keep your registration costs low. Minimal registration fees of $10-$15 dollars will allow for more girls to sign up and participate.
5. Consider implementing a scholarship club to help offset the cost of attending the GWS Day event. Ask local businesses to sponsor girls' participation in exchange for marketing their business with participants.

Marketing Strategies

Several options exist to effectively promote your event. Local newspaper(s), television news stations, and radio stations are great places to start. Often they will market your event for little to no cost because you are providing a community service. Compose a news release and send it out for consideration. Utilize your school's website and/or your connection to social networking sites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to get the word out. Seek approval from your local school district to distribute flyers in local elementary schools to female students.

Finally, access the Girls & Women in Sports Day Community Action Kit on the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) website for materials to assist you in planning your day (e.g. copy of a draft of a news release, a free poster advertising Girls & Women in Sports Day, a copy of a certificate of participation, etc.) (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 2013c). The kit may also be downloaded from the Women's Sports Foundation web site.

Suggested Timeline

Begin planning for success with your event by following the suggested calendar:

1. 1 year prior to your scheduled day, secure your facilities.
2. 6 months prior to your scheduled day, pursue and secure sponsors and meet with local physical education teachers to discuss ideas.
3. 3 months prior to your scheduled day, secure approval from local school districts to disseminate flyers advertising your event to female students.
4. 2 months prior to your scheduled day, pursue and secure female volunteers to coach physical activity and sport clinics.
5. 1 month prior to your scheduled day, begin marketing your event and disseminate flyers to local schools.
6. 2 weeks prior to your scheduled day, place your t-shirt order. In addition, set your early registration deadline for now.
7. 1 week prior to your scheduled day, prepare and organize the equipment needed to the different sport and physical activity clinics.
8. 2 days prior to your scheduled day, finalize preparations. Prepare a name tag for each participant with their name and chosen events clearly displayed. Complete a certificate of participation to give to each girl along with a t-shirt.

Research clearly indicates that those who engage in sport and physical activity reap psychological, physical, and social rewards (Women's Sports Foundation, 2004). Therefore, providing an opportunity to engage in fun physical activity, and learn new skills from positive female role models, is a constructive approach to supporting the mission of NGWSD, thus furthering the efforts of Title IX.

While there are many ways to engage young girls in physical activity (i.e., youth sport, private lessons, school physical activity) a sport and physical activity clinic allows young girls to embrace physical activity in a safe, fun and nurturing environment. Such activities advance the important discussion of continued equity and growth for girls and women in sport, while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. ¹

references

Biography: Heather Van Mullem is an Associate Professor in the Health & Kinesiology Program at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, ID. A former college basketball player and coach, she received her Ph.D from the University of Kansas in Sports Studies with an emphasis in Sport Psychology and Sport Sociology. In addition, she completed a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies.

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