Girls from grades 4 to 7 participate in kayaking exercises at the 2011 Get in the Game event sponsored by AAUW and JCC. (Submitted photo)

JAMESTOWN, NY -- In celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the Jamestown Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Jamestown Community College (JCC) will sponsor the 13th annual Get in the Game day-long event on Saturday, March 10, for girls in grades 4-7.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., girls will rotate in age-appropriate groups through eight different sports at the JCC Physical Education Complex.

(Submitted photo)

This year the sports featured are kickboxing, kayaking, rugby, soccer, gymnastics, basketball, Zumba, and track.

The sports workshops accommodate all skill levels. Girls will be supervised by AAUW, college and high school volunteers, and first aid assistants are available throughout the event.

Due to safety reasons, late arrivals or early dismissals cannot be accommodated.

Registration is limited to 150 girls and costs $12 per girl. Registration includes a full day of activities, lunch, and a souvenir t-shirt.

To register, participants can request a form at gitgjamestown@gmail.com or go to Facebook page, Get In the Game – Jamestown NY.

Some scholarships are available. A request for a scholarship should be marked on the registration form.

The registration deadline is February 24.

The annual event was inspired by the Women’s Sports Foundation that created and annually sponsors the National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Over the 12 years that AAUW and JCC have been sponsoring this event, over 1,500 girls have been given the opportunity to experience new sports, to learn about teamwork, and to increase their own self-esteem and self-confidence.

Co-chairs of the event, Wendy Present and Rae Lynn Reimondo, both commented on the effect the day has on the participants. Present said, “I love to see the happy and tired faces at the end of the day. I can just feel the girls’ self-confidence.” Reimondo added that, “Participating in a new sport-maybe something they have never even heard of-can be the highlight of the day for many of the attendees.”

(Submitted photo)

Another event organizer, Aimee Brunelle, Athletic Trainer, also notes the effect of the role models who work at the event. “The volunteers who participate in high school and college athletics are great role models. The young girls see what sports opportunities are available simply by being with the older girls and women who are volunteering that day.”

The Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, is dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. Among many of the Foundation activities is a strong research program on women and girls in sports.

Much of this research indicates that lack of physical activity is directly related to increased pregnancy, delinquency, obesity, truancy and increased risk taking (use of drugs and alcohol) among school-aged girls.

Providing choices of leisure has promoted successful life skills such as positive coping skills, increased sense of self, reduction in risky behaviors and increased goal setting.

Research suggests that physical activity is an effective tool for reducing the symptoms of stress and depression among girls.

The conclusion of the Foundation research is that sports and physical activity benefit all facets of a girl’s life.

(Submitted photo)

AAUW is a nationwide organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, research and philanthropy.

If interested in learning more about AAUW and the Jamestown AAUW Branch, go to www.jamestown.aauw-nys.org.