It’s NGWSD season!
National Girls and Women in Sport Day is celebrated annually to honor the achievements of women and girls in sports, raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in athletics, and encourage more participation in sports at all levels.

NGWSD began in 1987 as a special day to recognize and promote equality for women’s sports. Schools and community-based organizations host over 300 events nationwide, serving about 200,000 girls each year.

February 5 marks the official National Girls and Women in Sport Day, although many organizations celebrate this historic day throughout the month of February. Each NGWSD event is unique, with schools offering a combination of sport activities and opportunities to cheer for athletes in a competition setting.

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I attended my first NGWSD event when I was in elementary school – probably 9 or 10 years old. My mom heard about a day for girls at a local college and registered me and a classmate. I don’t remember every detail from that day, but I vividly recall the last event. We were separated into groups to run a relay race on the indoor track. The student-athletes explained how to run inside our lane as we turned the corner on the track. We also practiced transferring the baton to one another while running, which was no easy task.

We were all lined up in the track lanes with our families and spectators on the perimeter. When the whistle blew, it was game on! I felt my heart beating out of my chest as I waited for my teammate to run toward me. I started to jog, reached back to grab the baton from her, and took off down the lane.

I ran as fast as I possibly could toward my teammate to hand off the baton and allow her to continue our race. I remember feeling as though my legs were going to buckle beneath me – that’s how fast (I thought) I was running.

I have no recollection of whether my team came in first place or last place. It didn’t matter. I loved the feeling of working together toward a shared goal and hearing the crowd cheer us on. It was pure magic.

I look back to my first NGWSD experience as the moment I truly felt athletic and competitive for the first time. At the time, I had no idea just how much that experience would shape the course of my life.

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I’ve grown quite a bit since that February day on the indoor track. I now have the great fortune of celebrating NGWSD as an athletic administrator and mom of my own little girl. Last year we attended a local event where my daughter had the opportunity to join over 50 girls in sport activities. She dribbled a basketball for the first time, ran through an obstacle course with her friends, and enjoyed snack breaks with a big smile on her face. We finished the day by cheering on the girls’ swim team during their meet.

It was an exciting day and one I truly enjoyed sharing with my daughter and her friends.

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Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or fan, there are plenty of meaningful ways to celebrate NGWSD this month. Here are some ideas:

1. Attend a NGWSD event: Take your daughter, niece, sister, etc. to a local event. Or volunteer your time to help organize or run an event.

2. Support women’s sports organizations: Get involved with or donate to organizations that are working to create opportunities for women and girls in sports. Women’s Sports Foundation, Girls on the Run, or the local charity of your choice are all great options.

3. Support a women’s team in your community: Attend a women’s sports game or competition and cheer on the athletes. This could include anything from a high school basketball game to a professional women’s soccer match. Invite a friend!

4. Encourage girls to try new sports: Whether it’s rock climbing, swimming, tennis, or martial arts, encourage girls to step out of their comfort zones and try new activities. You never know what will stick.

5. Donate gear. If you have unused or gently used sports equipment, consider donating it to a school or organization that supports girls’ sports programs.

For more information about National Girls and Women in Sport Day, visit womenssportsfoundation.org.

Carry on.

Jess Lapachinski is an athletic administrator and sport performance professional who lives in the Pioneer Valley. Her column runs the second Monday of each month. Jess can be reached at jl.victoryLap@gmail.com