Team Insight

First, Women Take Over Capitol Hill ... A coalition of champion athletes and women's rights activists arrived on Capitol Hill in early February to celebrate the 32nd annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), a national observance celebrating the achievements of girls and women in sports. In the wake of the Women's March anniversary, the 2018 NGWSD theme, Play Fair, Play IX, illuminated the impor- tance of Title IX legislation in ensuring safe, equitable and non-discriminatory opportunities in athletics for girls and women. The NGWSD Coalition mem- bers – the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF), National Women's Law Center and Girls Inc. – met key government leaders on Capitol Hill in both the House and Senate to discuss these critical issues. The event was sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), who cham- pioned the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 in the Senate. "The courage, confidence and leadership skills gained through sports participation are the very tools girls need to become the strong leaders of tomorrow," says Grete Eliassen, WSF president and six-time X Games med- alist in free skiing. "We are calling for policymakers to pass legislation ensur- ing all young athletes – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or ability – have safe and equitable access to athletic opportunities, free from all forms of discrimination or abuse." NGWSD began in 1987 as a special day in the nation's capital to recog- nize women's sports. The day unites organizations and elite female athletes to bring national attention to the prom- ise of girls and women in sports. ...Then Girls Take Over Thursdays In an interesting effort to promote activity among young girls, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings and U.S. Soccer Foundation, have formed what they are calling "Girls Takeover Thursday." Essentially, it asks its clubs "to encourage girls to own this day and get them involved in some kind of physical activity at their club," says Jennifer Bateman, national VP–youth development programs. "Thanks to the commitment of our partners, clubs have the tools and resources to help boost girls' confidence and get them more excited about sports in 2018." Realizing that the older girls get, the less opportunities they have to participate in organized sports, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and its partners are encouraging more than 4300 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide to empower their girl members on Takeover Thursdays. To learn more: www.bgca.org/pro- grams/sports-recreation. Q 10 Team Insight / March 2018 teaminsightmag.com "The courage, confidence and leadership skills gained through sports participation are the very tools girls need to become the strong leaders of tomorrow." Grete Eliassen, President, WSF TEAM / TRENDS Girls in the News ... Female athletes are on the move in many ways across America.

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