This month, the National Recreation and Park Association has joined the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (AHG) and the Clinton Foundation for the #GirlsAre Campaign. The goal: to raise awareness around the lack of physical activity among women and girls. This campaign is also being used to empower girls to celebrate their athleticism, in coordination with National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

 

Parks and recreation are essential to promoting physical activity within communities. A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that among children in parks who were engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity in parks, 60 percent were male. Among teens, that figure jumps to 68 percent.

 

AHG’s National Out-of-School Advisor Daniel W. Hatcher interviewed NRPA’s own Kellie May and Allison Coleman to explore how recreation is empowering girls to be active. Here’s what Kellie and Allison shared with Daniel about what #girlsare!

 

 

Park and recreation agencies play a critical role in helping girls achieve the recommended amounts of physical activity. Many of them offer sports and activities for girls only which gives girls a safe space to learn activity without being influenced by boys.

 

I’m reminded of a story I was told then I was visiting the city of Portland Oregon where there was a recreation center that was having trouble attracting girls to their programs. When they looked at the population near the recreation center, they realized that it wasn’t culturally appropriate for this population to have girls in sports programs with male leaders. They hired female leaders and saw a significant jump in the number of girls in their programs. Many park and recreation agencies are doing the same, providing culturally appropriate activities with female leaders for girls to have physical activity opportunities too.

 

 

Yes, I played basketball and danced from a young age through high school. Both of these activities taught me about team work, resilience and boosted my academic achievement. Through these activities I made lifelong friends! Many of my childhood friends that I am still friends with today, 15-20 years later, are those that I met through sports.

 

 

When I was a kid, they didn’t offer as many of the sports for girls as they do now.  When I wanted to play organized sports, my parents signed me up for the local baseball league and I was one of only three girls who played.  Although times have changed a bit now, playing against boys taught me a lot.  I loved that I could hold my own on the baseball diamond (to be honest, I was better than most of the boys thanks to an older brother and an awesome dad who coached us in just about everything).  I loved that when the other team would look and see a girl on the field they’d think she was weak or couldn’t hit or catch.  I loved that their impression immediately changed as soon as I made contact with the ball, threw a runner out, or caught a line drive.  I loved that I wasn’t afraid to get dirty and compete with people who were bigger or physically stronger than me.

 

I learned a lot about myself through these experiences, which have carried over into my adult years.  I learned to be strong, to fight for what I believe in and stand up for myself.  I learned that through hard work and commitment you can achieve your goals.  I learned never to judge someone based on preconceptions.  In my teenage years playing competitive travel and high school sports I learned discipline, time management, respect, teamwork and leadership.  I learned how to accept defeat and how to celebrate victories. I learned how to put others first, deal with frustrations, be there for others, develop trust in individuals and create lasting friendships.

 

All in all, sports helped to shape the person that I am today and I believe that they are so valuable for girls, not only to provide health and physical benefits, but to teach so many life lessons.  I’ve coached youth and high school athletics for many years and truly see the value that sports have on girls of all backgrounds—helping to give them confidence, teach important life skills, and provide an outlet.  We should encourage our young girls to get involved with sports and stay involved!

 

 

Yes, entering junior high school in 7th grade I tried out for volleyball and did not make the team. I never played volleyball again. While this was hard, it did not discourage me from doing other activities, such as track and basketball. It taught me how to overcome adversity.

 

 

Do what makes you happy. There came a point in my sports career that I had to choose, softball or basketball? I loved both sports, but similar to many competitive athletes, I picked one to focus on year-round. I chose basketball which was rewarding for many reasons, but later in life I’ve realized that I wish I continued with both. I was happy playing both and at the end of the day that’s what it should be about. For me, it wasn’t about the college scholarship or winning the championship or being the MVP. When I look back now, what I remember was the happiness I felt, the laughs I shared and the friendships that I made. Do what makes you happy.

This blog was originally published by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.