STANDISH, ME – Saint Joseph’s College hosted an event in conjunction with National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) at the Harold Alfond Center on Sunday, February 12th. The event was a rousing success as 65 girls, grades K-5, attended the three-hour clinic, which was free to the public.
St. Joe’s athletes from all seven women’s varsity programs (basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and swimming) as well as the two club teams (cheering, track & field) instructed attendees on the practices of their respective sports. The young girls traveled from station to station to learn various skills and techniques related to sport and enjoyed a healthy snack break and Monks gear giveaways.
NGWSD is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports. Under the watch of Senior Woman Administrator Tiffany-Miller Gagnon, Saint Joseph’s has hosted a NGWSD event in each of the last five years.
NGWSD began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women's sports. Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since that time, NGWSD has evolved into a day 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.
Congress has proclaimed this national day each year since 1987, as it recognizes 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 Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Incorporated, National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, the National Women's Law Center and the Women's Sports Foundation.
The National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS) is a century-old professional membership organization with a mission to develop and deliver equitable and quality sport opportunities to all girls and women through relevant research, advocacy, leadership development, educational strategies and programming in a manner that promotes social justice and change. NAGWS is one of five national associations of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) based in Reston, VA.
AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. To learn more, visit www.aahperd.org.