Ƶ Athletics and Women of Ƶ partner to inspire the next generation of women athletes.
Ƶ celebrated National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, with an inspiring event designed to empower young female athletes and engage the local community in discussions on the importance of gender equality in sports. Sponsored by Ƶ Athletics and Women of Ƶ, the event provided an opportunity for local girls, parents, and alumni to connect with Ƶ’s outstanding female student-athletes and faculty.
The afternoon kicked off with a one-hour sports clinic, where girls aged 12 and under learned valuable skills from members of the Ƶ women’s teams. Student-athletes from softball, basketball, track & field, volleyball, and soccer led interactive sessions focused on fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence-building. Participants rotated through each sport, gaining hands-on experience while forming meaningful connections with collegiate athletes who serve as role models both on and off the field.
While the young athletes were immersed in the clinic, their parents attended a workshop led by Cara Lucia, associate professor of sport management. The session explored the impact of youth sports on personal development, strategies for advocating for young athletes,and best practices for parents looking to coach youth teams.
Following the clinic and workshop, all participants gathered in Schar Center to cheer on the Ƶ women’s basketball team as they faced Monmouth.
“We celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day to highlight the importance of empowering the next generation of female athletes, coaches, and leaders within sport to create a culture of support and inclusion in sports,” said Mary DeFriest, assistant athletics director of marketing and fan engagement. “When young girls see strong females in roles within sport, it sparks confidence and curiosity – encouraging them to dream bigger and have confidence in their abilities.”
The event also underscored the collaborative spirit of the greater university. Women of Ƶ, an initiative dedicated to engaging and connecting all women members of the Ƶ community including alumni, parents and students, that collaborated with athletics to organize the celebration. Kendra Haskins, senior director of alumni engagement, expressed the group’s enthusiasm for the day.
“Women of Ƶ were thrilled to partner with Ƶ Athletics to create this opportunity to inspire women of all ages: the girls with a connection to Ƶ’s incredible athletes and our volunteers and community members with the opportunity to impact the next generation.”
NGWSD at Ƶ was more than just a celebration—it was a testament to the power of mentorship, representation and the impact of sports on shaping confident and resilient young women. As participants left Schar Center, many were already looking forward to next year’s event, eager to continue building a culture of empowerment and inclusion in athletics.
For more information about Women of Ƶ, visit /u/advancement/women-of-elon.