Girls in Sports

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Created on Monday, 21 March 2016 19:59
Written by Alexa Richard

girlsinsportsCRAFTSBURY- More than 80 girls had the opportunity to meet members of the U.S. National ski team this weekend. The event was held at Craftsbury Outdoors Center to talk about women in sports.

 

The program’s mission was to help keep girls participating in sports, and to introduce young female athletes to sports. The girls got to work alongside, and actually ski with, members of the national team.

“It was nice not to be intimidated, or to think you’re not as good as they are,” Erin O’Farrell, a member of Lyndon Institute’s ski team, said. “They’re all really helpful, and gave some really helpful tips.”

In 2006, Canadian Cross Country skier Chandra Crawford won an Olympic gold medal, and wanted to give back to the skiing community. Crawford came up with the idea because the drop-out rates for girls in sports.

“Girls are dropping out of sports at a rate much higher than their boy peers,” Ida Sargent, U.S National Ski Team member, said. "[Crawford] wanted to have the same experiences that she had and learn the same lessons from sports that she did.”

The event was beneficial to all female athletes, organizers say, especially the younger girls.

“I think that meeting some of the top athletes of the sport really helps give them opportunities to what they could do, and also inspire them to keep on going and doing what they’re doing,” O’Farrell said.

“They’re just here for a fun afternoon of celebrating being healthy, fit and outside with role models from across the country,” Sargent said.

 

FAST AND FEMALE from NewsLINC on Vimeo.