 |
|
|
Girls Incorporated aims to make sports an integral part of girls' lives
Girls Incorporated is committed to making sports an integral part of girls' lives with their Sporting Chance Program Series. Through a three-year program, girls learn how to feel less vulnerable and more powerful, how to be both cooperative and competitive, and how to discipline their bodies and their minds. The program has been launched as a result of numerous research findings regarding girl’s participation in sports. Research findings indicate children ages 9 and 10 who participate in sports rate higher on perceived physical competence, social competence, and general self-worth than those who don't do sports. For high school students, young women who participated in sports were 40 percent less likely to drop out of high school and 33 percent less likely to become teen mothers than their non-athletic counterparts. Young women who participated in sports were also less likely to have smoked cigarettes than those who were not doing sports. Furthermore research shows that regular physical activity can improve a girl's overall mental and physical health by relieving and reducing the chance of depression, by improving her mood and emotional well-being, by reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and by reducing and preventing high blood pressure and obesity. Funded by the Endowed Fund from the Olympic Torch Relay Event and the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles , Girls Incorporated has developed the following creative program to build strong girls in both mind and spirit. STEPPINGSTONES For Girls ages 6-8: The emphasis here is “get the sneakers on as early as possible.” This is an extremely important time for girls because if a girl does not participate in sports by the time she is ten, there is only a 10 percent chance that she will be athletic when she is 25. Steppingstones is a motor-skill development program designed to get girls running, jumping, leaping, twisting, bending, and balancing. They begin to move more confidently, get used to physical activity, and learn that sport is a legitimate activity for girls and women. Peer coaches ages 13 to 18 work on their leadership skills by assisting the adult trainers. BRIDGES For Girls ages 9-11: The curriculum picks up where Steppingstones leaves off, enhancing girl's motor skills while introducing them to the world of organized sports. Girls focus on four areas: softball (throwing, catching, and striking); soccer (kicking and agility); basketball (shooting and teamwork); tennis (striking and individual competence). Girls also begin to consider the educational and career opportunities available through sports by learning about successful women athletes. SPORTS UNLIMITED For Girls ages 12-14: Girls explore the full range of individual and team sports, visiting different community athletic facilities for instruction and participation. They gain an understanding of their individual skill levels, the physical and emotional benefits of different sports, the importance of nutrition, and how they can pursue their sports and fitness goals. The Results Girls Incorporated is a national youth organization dedicated to "inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold. For over 50 years, Girls Incorporated has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls. Today, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and aim to prepare them to lead successful, independent and complete lives. [For more information contact: Girls Incorporated National Headquarters, 120 Wall Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10005, Tel: (212) 509-2000 Fax: (212) 509-8708.]
|
|
|
Copyright Women'Sports Services ©1995-2002 |
|
NEW
YORK, NY. Although the number of female athletes is growing, too many girls still sit on the sidelines
watching the boys slam dunk or sprint toward the finish line, according to Girls Incorporated. “As spectators, they don't have as much fun and they miss the chance to develop skills that will help them succeed and habits
that can keep them healthy”, said a Girls Incorporated representative.