Thursday, September 10, 2009
Spending a day at playVirginia Amateur Sports
An annual clinic encourages girls to get involved in sports.
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Hundreds of girls across the region will spend their day Sept. 19 playing volleyball, basketball, field hockey and tennis.
They will be taking part in the annual Girls Sports Clinic, sponsored by Virginia Amateur Sports.
The goal of the clinic, which is open to girls age 7 to 13, is to provide a time and place for youngsters to enhance their skills, learn new sports and increase their knowledge, according to Lauren McMillan, director of operations for Virginia Amateur Sports.
"This is a day for young girls, to introduce them to sports they may know nothing about or ones that they've played, but want to learn about more," she said. "It's a day to inspire them and to motivate them to be involved, and to learn the value that sports can play in their lives."
McMillan cited the example of a girl, now 15, who attended a clinic in fourth grade and played volleyball for the first time. Now she plays volleyball, basketball and lacrosse.
"She fell in love with the sport and has been playing ever since," McMillan said.
A variety of sports will be offered, including basketball, volleyball, field hockey, tennis, softball, lacrosse, cheerleading and dance. Clinics will be hosted by Eastern Mennonite University, Hollins University, Patrick Henry Community College, Randolph College and Virginia Western Community College. The athletic director or student activity director at each school coordinates volunteers and staff, including coaches and student volunteers.
Previously called Girls and Women in Sports Day, the national program was started in 1987 by the Women's Sports Foundation. Virginia Amateur Sports started the regional clinics in 1998 after the father of a young girl approached them to see what could be done to get girls involved in sports. VAS contacted the Women's Sports Foundation and held a clinic in February, when the national event is held. This year, the name was changed and the event was moved to September so that the girls can participate in more outdoor activities.
Between 200 and 400 girls have attended each year.
