On Saturday, Feb. 3, starting at 8:45 a.m., KO kicked off its annual Girls and Women in Sports Day. This day was an opportunity for girls ages 9 to 14 to participate in a clinic, allowing them to try out a variety of sports.
KO began hosting this event with support from the Women’s Sports Foundation. This event is in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Established in 1987, this day commemorates the legacy of Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman, honoring her accomplishments and advocacy for equality in sports. It is a day that celebrates the achievements and contributions of female athletes, promoting gender equality and encouraging girls to participate in sports.
The day was broken into two sessions, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Session one had field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and volleyball clinics, while session two featured field hockey, lacrosse, basketball, and track, giving the girls a range of sports to choose from.
Several female KO athletes helped these young girls by teaching them new skills and providing instruction. Having KO athletes work with these girls fostered a unique bond, bridging a gap between older and younger athletes. “I loved watching the girls be excited about volleyball and, as the day went on, gaining more confidence with the sport,” junior Alex Segal said.
Specifically during the volleyball session, the girls developed basic skills such as hitting and passing. The drills were fun and encouraged teamwork, ultimately trying to get these girls excited about the sport. “The day was about getting girls to participate in sports and be excited about being an athlete,” Alex said, “which I think is very important as we want to inspire the younger generation of girls to continue playing sports.”
Junior Reagan Heafey-De Angelis volunteered during the basketball session. During the clinic, Reagan helped lead the young athletes through passing and shooting drills and even a fun relay layup competition to end the morning. “It was a very fun experience, getting to help out younger girls who are so excited about sports, and excited about basketball in general,” she said. “I used to be the younger girl who looked up to the older girls, and it felt pretty awesome to be the one they were excited to show their skills to.”
A unique feature was that attending activities on this day was free, and this inclusivity allowed any girl interested in sports to participate. The success of this year’s Girls in Sports Day has created a wide-reaching impact, and KO looks forward to hosting this event next year.
