sportstyle

Let's put it right out there: Who makes the sports equipment purchases in your family? And who pays for it? Mike B.: I buy most of the equipment for Haley. I have been a gear head since I was a kid and I always WHAT DADS WANT FOR THEIR ATHLETIC DAUGHTERS D o fathers know what their daughters want and need for their team sports? Team Insight went to the source and asked five dads around the country how they feel about the products they buy for their young athletes — and if they even have a say in that purchase. The bottom line: Team dealers need to take these men seriously, or else their daughters will make them feel bad. TALKING GIRLS' SPORTS GEAR Billy B., 42 / Overland Park, KS • Presley, 16; Riley, 15; Kinley, 11 Presley is a swimmer (she also played basketball and soccer until 13); Riley plays softball and high school bas- ketball (also played soccer until last year); Kinley swims and plays basketball, softball (gave up soccer last year). Charlie G., 56 / Wellington, FL • Samantha, 22; Kayla, 20; Nicole, 17 Kayla played soccer and flag football throughout high school, as well as travel soccer, and now plays collegiate soccer at Guilford College; Nicole plays high school softball and basketball, as well as travel softball. Matt B., 48 / Chicago, IL • Carolyn, 13 She has played travel ice hockey for the past six years. Mike B., 55 / Weston, CT • Haley, 19 Haley plays tennis, golf, lacrosse and field hockey and enjoys skiing, biking, running and yoga. Tim P., 54 / Seymour, IN • Alyssa, 18 Alyssa has played soccer, basketball and softball since she was five-years old. Also participated in cross-country and track in middle school. Tim's daughter, Alyssa, isn't sure how much her dad knows about girls' sports products, but he assures her that he realizes that sizing is different – and certainly more important – for girls than it is for boys. BY MICHAEL JACOBSEN GIRLS' SPORTS | ROUNDTABLE • TEAM 62 • May 2021 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com

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