Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357 (w); 804-443-2703 (h)
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6 is Girls In Sports Day For Girls at St. Margaret's School, Motto Is 'Get In the Game'
On February 6, St. Margaret's School joins girls' schools across the nation in celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
The 1990's have embraced the legacy of women in sports. Women athletes are making dramatic impressions in professional sports and are celebrated as sports-superstars in their own right. To quote one of Monday's super bowl commercials, "It is not always the best man who wins anymore."
Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Coach, has led the Lady Volunteers to a string of NCAA final four appearances over the last decade; with results comparable to men's basketball kings of the court like Bobby Knight at Indiana, Coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, Dean Smith of North Carolina, John Thompson of Georgetown, and Jimmy Valvano of North Carolina State.
At the player level, Rebecca Lobo, University of Connecticut graduate, who now plays power forward for the New York Liberty in the WNBA, has become a household name. Lobo, as a national role model, graces our television screens in infomercials advising youngsters to "Stay in school."
Venus Williams, and her sister Serena, have become teen sensations on the tennis court. With their trademark hair beads, the Williams sisters have added dynamism and energy to women's tennis. The playing skills and, yes, too, the good looks of many young women's tennis players-Amanda Coetzer, Mary Pierce, Monica Seles, to name a few-are attracting equal attention as Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras have for men's tennis.
Se Ri Pak, the fast-rising star of the LPGA, has helped bring Tiger Woods-like national attention to women's golf. Ri Pak has blistered her competition, setting new standards for her sport and inspiring others to do the same.
St. Margaret's School, a girls school, competes in numerous varsity and junior varsity sports outside the shadow of boy's teams. Albeit played at a different pace, and not necessarily a slower one, girls sports do differ from boy's sports and should be enjoyed for those differences.
Recently, much controversy has arisen, pitting female athletics vs. male athletics in a who's better national debate. This simply misses the point. Male athletes, like females, are engaged in something far greater than sports. Through sports, athletes play together, grow together, win together, and lose together. Ultimately, this trickles down to teamwork and confidence gained not only on the playing field, but off the field as well-a benefit blind to an athlete's gender.
Michael Jordan taught us that talent alone does not win championships, but togetherness and "team" do. The impetus to work hard and succeed in life, often, is learned in sports at a young age.
Women's lives have changed, so have their dreams. It would be shameless not to celebrate the transition girls and women in sports have made over the past century.
"Today, more than ever before, girls in search of sports heroes have a wealth of female role models to emulate and admire. This event is a terrific way to underscore the importance of athletics for girls," says St. Margaret's Headmistress Margaret Broad. "Through our sports programs, we see that success on the court or playing field translates into better classroom performance. Confidence soars and girls who have discovered new skills on the playing field often become leaders off the field as well." The National Coalition of Girls' Schools, of which St. Margaret's is a member, agrees. "Traditionally, that's why many parents have encouraged their boys to play sports," said Whitney Ransome and Meg Moulton, the Coalition's Co-executive Directors. "For the teamwork and discipline of the game. The thrill of competition. The satisfaction of mastering a new skill. All these benefits are present for girls, too. And these are benefits that will last a lifetime, whether a child becomes a pro athlete, a scientist, or a business executive."
Physical fitness, one of the keys to a healthy life, often begins in a school gym class. For many girls, gym class is their first introduction to exercise, athletic games, and team activities; therefore, it is important not to overlook the importance of physical education. "The foundations of lifetime fitness, health and well-being are set down in physical education class. Ultimately, the goal of our interest in sports for girls should be the development of healthy, happy, intelligent, well adjusted women," says SMS health teacher and athletic director Sue Saunders.
Get In the Game!
Advice From the Girls of NCGS
1. Try lots of sports. Each one is different, and each demands different skills. Sample them all - there's sure to be one that you love, and that really fits you.The National Coalition of Girls' Schools is based in Concord, Massachusetts, and represents 89 public and private girls' schools nationwide, with affiliates in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Both at the national level through the Coalition's officers, and at the local level through member schools, NCGS offers expertise to educators, families, and the media. For more information about the Coalition and the role of girls' schools in promoting girls' achievement in all areas of life -- including sports and fitness -- please contact Carolyn Colletti at (617) 469-6789 or e-mail kpiri@aol.com
2. Go to some games. Not sure where to start? Go to some games -- high school, college, or pro -- and see what's what. Get there early, and talk with some of the players about why they love their sport.
3. Team up with a friend. Learning something new can be more fun -- and a lot less intimidating -- with a friend by your side. Find someone who's looking to get into the game too, and join together.
4. Celebrate small victories. Are you a total novice? Don't obsess about being an all-star. Get revved up when you succeed at, say, skating backwards for the first time, or serving a tennis ball right on target.
5. Have fun! Sure, it takes work to train and learn the moves. But never forget that it's a game - you're supposed to be enjoying yourself!
Source: National Coalition of Girls' Schools, Concord, Mass.
WEB LINKS
The National Coalition of Girls' Schools - www.ncgs.org
Girls and Women in Sports Day - www.aahperd.org/nagws/nagws.html