GORHAM - With a longstanding tradition of supporting highly successful women's athletic programs and student-athletes, the University of Southern Maine Huskies Department of Athletics is excited to announce a week-long series of events surrounding the 2021 celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
 
Established in 1987, National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is an event that acknowledges the accomplishments of female athletes, and amplifies the positive effect sports participation has on girls and women, providing them with the tools and skills needed to become leaders in the world of sport and beyond.
 
Continuing the theme "Lead Her Forward" for the 2021 NGWSD celebration, Huskies' Athletics - under the guidance of Kimberly Turner, Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, and with the generous support of Southern Maine's women's athletic programs and student-athletes - has organized a variety of events intended to expose young women to the benefits of overall health and wellness of athletics participation.
 
Collaborating with the Gorham Recreation Department, Huskies Athletics begins the week-long celebration on Monday, January 31 with the Huskies' Ice Hockey Skate Clinic and concludes on Thursday, February 2 with its Fabulous Fun Fair. Registration is required for each event, and COVID-19 protocols and precautions must be adhered to. 
 
"Athletic participation is a vital component to the development of strong, confident and ambitious female leaders," said Turner.  "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 active members 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. Once 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, Finally, WSF reports that girls who play sports report higher levels of confidence and are 16 percent less likely to want to change their image. 
 
"Welcoming girls and young women from our surrounding community to partake in this event has become a highlight of each academic year," said Turner.  "The collaboration between our student-athletes, coaches, Gorham Recreation and our area schools have strengthened community relations and have hopefully opened a door of opportunity for future life-long athletes."
 
The Huskies' NGWSD Celebration begins with the Huskies' Ice Hockey Skate Clinic (4-5 pm) at the USM Ice Arena on Monday, January 31. Hosted by members of the USM women's ice hockey team, the clinic is open to Gorham girls in grades 4-8.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own skates, equipment and stick. Masks and helmets must be worn by all participants.
 
On February 1, Gorham Middle School girls are invited to attend a Snowshoe Session hosted by the Huskies' field hockey team.  Limited to 30 participants, the event will take place at the Gorham Middle School from 2:40-3:45 pm.  Snowshoes will be provided by the Gorham Recreation Department.
 
On that same date, Huskies' women's cross country, track & field will host a XC Ski Session at the Village Elementary School.  Limited to 22 participants, this event is open to girls in grades 3-5 from Village Elementary, Great Falls and Narragansett schools.  Boots must be worn.
 
Two more snowshoe sessions will be available to interested participants on Wednesday, February 2.  Gorham Middle School girls (30 participant maximum) are invited to join USM women's soccer from 2:40-3:45 at the Gorham Middle School, and girls in grades 3-5 from Village Elementary, Great Falls, and Narragansett School are invited to snowshoe with the Huskies' softball team from 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm at the Village Elementary School. Snowshoes will again be provided at both events.
 
For the final day of the celebration, Huskies' Athletics is hosting its Fabulous Fun Fair & Festivities from 5:30-630 pm at USM's Hill Gymnasium.  Open to girls (K-8), participants are invited to join USM student-athletes for a variety of relay races, minute-to-win-it games, and more. Masks must be worn by all participants.
 
"The final day of our community celebration is a great chance for these young athletes to interact with members of our Husky student-athlete population," said Turner.  "Our female student-athletes are some of the University's most high-achieving, compassionate and successful students. Our student-athletes are always grateful for opportunities to interact with members of our community, particularly the youth, and share their passion and knowledge of their respective sport."
 
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.
 

2022 USM Athletics & Gorham Recreation Department
National Girls & Women in Sport Celebration
Date	Time	Event	Participant Limit	Location	Sponsor
January 31 Monday	4-5:00 pm	Huskies' Ice Hockey Skate Clinic	--	USM Ice Arena	USM Women's Ice Hockey
February 1 Tuesday	2:40-3:45	Snowshoe Session (Gorham Middle School Girls Only)	30	Gorham Middle School	USM Field Hockey
	3:30-4:15	XC Ski Session (Village Elementary, Great Falls, Narragansetts Girls Only)	22	Village Elementary School	USM Women's XC, Track & Field Team
February 2 Wednesday	All Day	Virtual Celebration: Informational Videos and Graphics	Open to all	Online	USM Athletics
	2:40-3:45	Snowshoe Session (Gorham Middle School Girls Only)	30	Gorham Middle School	USM Women's Soccer
	3:30 –4:15	Snowshoe Session (Village Elementary, Great Falls and Narragansett Girls only)	30	Village Elementary	USM Softball
February 3 Thursday	5:30-6:30	Fabulous Fun Fair & Festivities	--	Hill Gymnasium	USM Athletics