FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State Athletics celebrated its 15th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) with a free sports clinic for the local community earlier this month. Current Fresno State student-athletes had the opportunity to showcase the many ways that sports push girls and women to achieve excellence and realize their boundless potential.
NGWSD began in 1987 as a day to recognize and honor women's sports. Since then, the day has evolved into national events to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, the positive influence of sports participation and the continuing struggle for equality for women in sports. NGWSD is celebrated across the country throughout February.
This clinic was a free and fun-filled afternoon for over 100 local youth from Orange Cove to Madera that was capped with complimentary tickets to the Softball game for the participants, along with a t-shirt and snack voucher. Participants in the clinic got the opportunity to meet with Fresno State student-athletes from six women's sports teams: volleyball, golf, swimming and diving, soccer, equestrian and tennis.
Student-athletes and children were split into groups. From there, each group had the opportunity to focus on the individuality of every represented sport. On top of sharing their knowledge of their respective sports, the student-athletes were there to express their appreciation for their sport to the kids in attendance.
The children in attendance rotated through each of the six sports, getting approximately 15 minutes in each station to have the chance to gain hands-on experience with Fresno State student-athletes. The youth superstars were able to pass, bump, putt, ride and learn swim strokes with the Bulldogs.
NGWSD is an opportunity that Fresno State capitalizes on every year to honor the women who paved the way, appreciate the women who are blazing new trails and inspiring the youth who will carry on the tradition.