GORHAM, Maine – In celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day (February 3, 2021), the University of Southern Maine Department Athletics and the Gorham Recreation Department are collaborating to bring the day to life with a week-long series of in-person and virtual events to illustrate the importance of athletics and sports participation in the development and education of girls and women.
In its 35th year, National Girls and Women in Sports Day highlights the confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation, and amplifies that athletics participation provides girls and women the tools they need to become leaders in sports and life. Created in 1987 by the Women's Sports Foundation, NGWSD also recognizes and applauds the achievements and influence of female athletes, coaches, leaders, and organizations that continue to work to ensure the protection of Title IX, gender equity and promotion of play.
"Athletic participation is a vital component to the development of strong, confident and ambitious female leaders," said
Kim Turner, USM Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator. "There are numerous studies with statistical evidence to prove that assertion, but just looking around at our athletic department and seeing the many outstanding young women who are part of our athletic teams is proof positive enough. We are excited and encouraged to help create this week-long celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and to help foster lifelong fitness and athletic participation in the next generation."
Research through the Women's Sports Foundation has shown that athletics participation by girls and women has directly and positively affected the belief, confidence and success: Girls who participate in sports are 14 percent more likely to believe in their academic ability and pursue their dream career, and are 13 percent more likely to pursue a career in mathematics or science. One in their career path, 90 percent of female corporate executives report having played a sport as part of their youth, and 61 percent say playing that sport directly contributed to their career success, and girls who play sports report higher levels of confidence, and are 16 percent less likely to want to change their image.
Beginning Monday, February 1 and running through Thursday, February 4, USM Athletics, its women's teams and staff, and Gorham Recreation will be sponsoring local community events and online virtual activities to girls from Gorham Village School and Gorham Middle School. Registration is required for each all events, and COVID-19 protocols and precautions must be adhered to.
February 1 activities include a Snowshoe Session, and a XC Ski Session sponsored and led by USM women's soccer, and women's cross country and track & field respectively, and a virtual Husky Huddle Up Team Building Session led by Huskies' field hockey and softball.
On Tuesday, February 2, Huskies' field hockey and softball will lead a pair of Snowshoe Sessions, and Huskies' Volleyball and USM Athletic Healthcare will sponsor their own virtual Husky Huddle Up: Yoga/Injury Prevention.
Marking the 35th celebration of NGWSD, Wednesday will feature a day full of virtual activities, including individual skill and development video sessions with University of Southern Maine women's basketball, women's volleyball and women's soccer. In addition to the three pre-recorded individual skill sessions, USM Athletics social media will be presenting informational short videos and related graphics highlighting the importance of athletic activity.
The final day of the program, Thursday, February 4, features Skate with the Huskies led by the USM women's ice hockey team, and will be followed later in the day by the final virtual Husky Huddle Up sponsored by Huskies' women's lacrosse.
University of Southern Maine Huskies Athletics, an NCAA Division III member, supports 22 intercollegiate sports, including 11 women's teams. With a longstanding tradition of women's athletics, some of the earliest incarnations of the University of Southern Maine (Gorham Normal School, Gorham State Teachers College and more) supported women in sport. Starting with interclass basketball in 1918 and culminating with the official creation of women's intercollegiate athletics in 1967, the University of Southern Maine and its predecessor institutions have supported women's participation in athletics for more than 50 years.
| 2021 USM Athletics & Gorham Recreation Department |
| National Girls & Women in Sport Celebration |
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| Date |
Time |
Event |
Participant Limit |
Location |
Sponsor |
| February 1 |
2:40-3:45 |
Snowshoe Session I (Gorham Middle School Girls Only) |
20 |
Gorham Middle School |
USM Women's Soccer |
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3:15-4:00 |
XC Ski Session (Gorham Village School Girls Only – Grade 3-5) |
20 |
Gorham Village School |
USM Women's Cross Country, Track & Field, and USM Healthcare |
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5:30-5:30 |
Virtual Husky Huddle Up: Team Building |
Open to all |
Online Only |
USM Field Hockey, and Softball |
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| February 2 |
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2:40-3:45 |
Snowshoe Session II (Gorham Middle School Girls Only) |
20 |
Gorham Middle School |
USM Field Hockey |
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3:15-4:00 |
Snowshoe Session III (Gorham Village School Girls Only) |
20 |
Gorham Village School |
USM Softball |
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5:30-6:30 |
Virtual Husky Huddle Up: Yoga/Injury Prevention |
Open to all |
Online |
USM Women's Volleyball, USM Athletic Healthcare |
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| February 3 |
All Day |
Virtual Celebration: Pre-Recorded Skill Development Sessions, Informational Videos and Graphics (REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR SKILL SESSIONS) |
Open to all |
Online |
USM Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer and Women's Volleyball |
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| February 4 |
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2:45-4:00 |
Skate with the Huskies (Gorham Village School Girls Only) - Bring Your Own Skates |
20 |
Narragansett School Ice Rink |
USM Women's Ice Hockey |
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5:30-6:30 |
Virtual Husky Huddle Up: TIk Tok |
Open to all |
Online |
USM Women's Lacrosse |
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